RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

The place was Morgan’s Bay, South Africa. The time: 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 I spoke to these leaders. I taught on the principles of prayer I’d written about 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 fell to their knees as they were stricken by the manifest presence of God. Others stood with tears streaming. Some confessed sin and experienced forgiveness. There was reconciliation between racial groups. We remained in this spiritual state for several hours. Finally, someone said it was time for dinner and we needed to dismiss. But no one left. We were officially dismissed thirty minutes later, but 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 happened 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. Revival involves 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.
In his position of authority and leadership, David understood his need for God’s presence. He needed God’s presence in the battles he would fight and the decisions he would make. It was imperative for him to know God’s presence in all he did. During the times of David’s reign, the Ark of the Covenant represented the manifest presence of God. It contained the tablets of the Law, with the mercy seat above. But years earlier, the Ark had been captured by the Philistines. David deeply wanted this representation of God’s presence to be returned to the center of the life of Israel.
In our next discussion of David, we will see how he handled the Ark. But it’s important for us first to understand David’s commitment to bring the Ark back to the center of Jewish life. God had said to Moses, “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” (Exodus 25:22). David knew that in times past, God met with the children of Israel. He longed for God to meet with them once again.
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 we need the same longing in our hearts that David showed. He longed to know and walk in God’s presence. It was the same longing that Moses expressed: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). David and Moses, two of Israel’s greatest leaders, knew that if they were to lead His people, they needed God’s manifest Presence.
It’s no different today. Our hearts must long to know Him, walk with Him, and be led by Him. We must be committed 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.