Word on the Web

17 Oct 2008: The People of the Presence

I have a growing concern that too often we think that if we have sufficient resources and the right strategy then success is guaranteed; we can forget that we are involved in God’s work, accomplished ‘not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God.’

David stands before Goliath, who appears to have all the necessary resources at his disposal. David holds just a sling and five stones and seems hopelessly under-resourced. But David knows the reality of the situation. ‘You come against me with a sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. 1 Sam 17:45

In his book, ‘Paul, the Spirit and the People of God’, Gordon Fee states that, ‘Whatever else, the people of Israel understood themselves to be “the people of the presence”. God Himself promised, ‘My dwelling place will be with them, I will be their God and they will be my people.’ Ezekiel 37:27

But what about us in today’s world? Fee explains, ‘By fulfilling both the new covenant and the renewed temple motifs the Spirit becomes the way God himself is now present on planet earth.’ We today are ‘the people of the presence.’

However, it is possible to live with that theological understanding but not that everyday moment by moment experience. I can chair meetings where we formally recognise the presence of God at the beginning of the meeting but do not really expect Him to intervene or clearly speak. I can so easily think that if I am well prepared for my preaching and I deliver my sermon well, then the job is done. Let’s pray for a greater realisation of His presence, leading to a greater reliance on Him and a greater expectation to see the fruit and gifts of His Spirit – ‘God’s empowering presence’ amongst us.

 

Peter Maiden

Chairman of Keswick Ministries