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Protection in His Presence — Week 2 By Sandra Kay Williams, State President, California-Nevada “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Have you ever been in a service where the presence of the Lord was so precious and real that you just didn’t want to leave? That must be how the disciples felt when Jesus departed out of their sight at His ascension. He kept trying to tell them that He had to go so that the Comforter could come. They didn’t want to think about life with out Him. Much like when a loved one passes, the thought of not being able to see, touch, and hear them seems unbearable. This is how they felt. In His presence they had found protection, provision, and power. They didn’t want to give that up. They had to be remembering that His presence brought protection. For how would they have escaped alive from the boat they were in when that horrible storm swept up? In Mark 4, they were afraid they were going to die. But where was Jesus? In the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow. Of course, they awoke Him and said, “Carest thou not that we perish?” Then they witnessed His protection. He actually came to their rescue and reassured them of their safety in His presence, when He spoke to the wind and sea and simply said in verse 39, “PEACE, BE STILL!” And it did. He scolded them a little and said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They said in verse 41, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” There is no need to be scared when He’s in the boat. In His presence is protection. No matter what the circumstance looks like, no matter the storm in your life, He can speak peace to it. No matter the danger you face, He is your protector. Stay in His presence. The disciples learned through this experience to fear Jesus not their circumstance. Did you notice in verse 41, after the storm had ceased and the winds quit blowing, after Jesus had asked them why they were afraid, it says, “And they were terrified (feared exceedingly).” I believe at this point they felt safe from the storm, but had a good dose of awe and a healthy fear of the Lord upon them. Do we stand in awe of Him or take lightly His presence in our lives? Do we fear Him or our circumstances? In His presence is protection, so be not afraid! Prayer: Dear Abba Father, thank You for times of refreshing in Your presence where I can rest secure in Your arms of security. Safe from the storms of life and situations pressing in on me, I have found You to be my protector. Next week we’ll look at provision in His presence. |
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