Presence or Position: Which do you prefer? – Part 4

Positionally oriented people can sometimes experience corruption, and the reason I think so is because they are consumed by how their position makes them look, consequently exposing them to practices that will only build their self ego, and we know that cannot be a good thing for anyone. If I am correct, my Bible calls it pride. Have you heard this phrase, absolutely power corrupts.? There is a probability you might have heard the terminology and possibly wondered why. I believe David and Saul’s story can help us answer this question. The Bible says, David in the midst of one of the most arguably challenging time of his kingship said, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” David was the king, he had position, power and influence, yet he was more concerned with the presence of God upon his life rather than his position as king. David understood from an early age; the hand of the Lord was upon him, it was God who chose him as king over His people, and it was God’s presence that sustained his tenure through wars and battles. David turned his attention towards God, because he knew the source of his help. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” Read 1 Samuel 16:12b.

Someone who is positionally oriented, will look for people to boss and order around, whilst a person who has position and the presence of God is ever willing to elevate others, he or she is not overly concerned about the position, but about people. And I believe God’s presence helps simplify the process of leadership, because he or she is aware, it is by God’s grace and power. Are you aware, we are glory carriers? Let us see what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:19 (CEV), “You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own.” The Bible says, “God’s glory returns to the temple, and the land was radiant with His glory.” Read Ezekiel 43:2b. As a people with position, and God’s presence, we radiate the very essence of God because “we are the express image of His person…” Read Hebrews 1:3 (NIV). 

Contrasting Saul’s story with David’s, let us see what the Bible says in 1 Samuel 9:15, “The people demanded a king, and wanted to be ruled like other nations; then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” “…So Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Read 1 Samuel 8:1-21 (NKJV).

Moving along, Saul employed self will and rule as supposed to Spirit will and rule. He did what he wanted, after-all, he is the big boss now, and no one could tell him what not to do. Here you can see how positionally inclined Saul was? It was about how he looked in front of the people, and because of that, his focus was not directed at yielding to God’s presence but about himself. 1 Samuel 13:11, And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore, I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” Read 1 Samuel 13:11-13 (NKJV). Saul I believe started out well as king, BUT, here is an admonition for us, we should never think of ourselves so highly that we become arrogant and full of ourselves. Whatever it is you have achieved, acknowledge and know it is only by His grace. Dearly beloved, this type of behavior is not exclusive only to Saul, we can sometimes… Lord have mercy. I encourage you to read the entire book of first and second Samuel, there is a lot for us to learn from this, and by His grace, the eyes of our understanding would be enlightened in Jesus Name.

Beloved, it is by God’s grace we stand and are sustained, let us seek and desire; covet the presence of God in our daily lives. It is the differentiator, and the common denominator is that His grace and power and His glory, is at work in us, both to will and to do, of His good pleasure. I recently spoke to a good friend of mine, and hear what he said, “I am a congregation member like every other person who attends Church, even though he is the one preaching.” So like my friend, I am an avid reader of these posts, because I get to listen and hear what the Lord wants me to hear from these posts. Amazing, is it not? yes it is.

We write You read Be encouraged.