Topic: God’s Presence
Text: Habakkuk 2:13-20

Although the divine presence brings lots of blessings to God’s people, it is fraught with danger. If you fail to conduct yourself properly, you may court the displeasure of the Almighty. If you break divine protocol as you approach the presence of God, you may be playing with stiff penalties. In the Old Testament, people rarely did what many do, today, in the house of God.

For example, many people come to the house of God in dresses that reveal their nudity. This is a very dangerous act. If, in the course of moving around to bless people, deliver them and destroy their enemies, God comes across near nude people, He is bound to turn away from them because His eye are too holy to behold iniquity. When God turns away, the devil moves in to take over. In Exodus 20:26, the Almighty God says there should be no steps when we approach His altar. This is to avoid revealing our nudity as we climb a high altar.

These days, however, it is not the steps that reveal our nudity but the very dresses that we wear. Engaging in side talks during a service is another thing that people do in the house of God and which can bring a lot of problems. The tendency for the Almighty God when He moves around with His blessings is to overlook such people. When He does, the devil takes over such people, just as darkness takes over a place when light is switched off. In Habakkuk 2:20: the Bible says: “But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him”. Of course, there is time to shout and this shouting can be pleasing to God when it praises Him. However, when God speaks to you through His servant without you getting the message, or you fail to join people when they sing and praise Him, you are in trouble.

Let us give honour to the Lord when we are in His presence. Do not allow anything to hinder your blessing.

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:26 - “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon”