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David - God's Manifest Presence
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The place was Morgan's Bay, South Africa. The time: during the days of Apartheid. The setting: a multiracial group of pastors and leaders. The occasion: a conference on spiritual revival. There was nothing unusual about the day that I spoke to these leaders. I taught on the principles of prayer about which I had written in my book, The Prayer Factor. After I concluded, these leaders began singing a spiritual chorus. Then it happened.
God's presence filled the place. Many melted to their knees as they were stricken by the manifest presence of God. Others stood with tears running down their faces. Some confessed sin and experienced forgiveness. There was reconciliation between racial groups. We remained in this spiritual state for a couple of hours. Finally, someone said that it was time for dinner, and we needed to dismiss. But no one left. We were officially dismissed thirty minutes later, but still no one could leave. Eventually, we closed the service. But everyone left with a sense of reverence for God and love for one another.
What transpired that day can't be copied. Such an encounter with God can't be worked up. It can only be sent down. But we can position our lives in such a manner that we walk and live daily in His presence. We can know Him, really know Him. We can know His leadership and His power in our lives. Revival is simply returning to a living, dynamic relationship with Him. It's knowing God's presence in the small things of life and being filled with His Spirit.
David understood his need for God's presence in his position of authority and leadership. He needed God's presence in the battles he would fight and the decisions he would make. It was imperative that He knew God's presence in all that he did. The "Ark" represented the manifest presence of God during the times of David reign. It contained the mercy seat and above it was the mercy seat. However, years earlier the Ark had captured by the Philistines. David deeply desired that which represented God's presence be returned to the center of the life of Israel.
Next week we will see how David handled the Ark. But it's important for us to first understand David's commitment to bring the Ark back to the center of Jewish life. God had originally said to the children of Israel, "There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites" (Ex. 25:22 NIV). David knew that in times past God met with the children of Israel. He longed for God to meet once again with them.
During David's time, the manifest presence of God was localized. Since the day of Pentecost, God's manifest presence has become universal, dwelling among all who know and follow Jesus. But I'm convinced that we need the same longing in our hearts that David had. He longed to know and walk in God's presence. It was the same longing that Moses verbalized when he said, Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Ex. 33:15 NIV). David and Moses, two of Israel's greatest leaders knew that they needed God's manifest Presence if they were to lead His people.
It's no different today. Our hearts must long to know Him, walk with Him, and be led by Him. There must be a commitment to have His presence as the center of our lives. Such leaders will be mighty in Spirit and humble servants among God's people. If revival comes, then God's men and women must know His power and presence.
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