07/09/2026
6th September 2026, Sunday Service led by Pastor Jabez Orara 🗣
"Power of the Abiding Presence of God"
Key Verses🔖📖 Joshua 1:5, 2 Timothy 4:17 KJV
"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." — Joshua 1:5 (KJV)
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." — 2 Timothy 4:17 (KJV)
📋Highlighting two remarkable biblical figures—Joshua and the Apostle Paul—their lives bore powerful testimony to the reality of God’s presence. Joshua conquered the fortified walls of Jericho and led Israel into the Promised Land not by human military might, but because God went before him. Centuries later, the Apostle Paul faced beatings, shipwrecks, and solitary imprisonment, yet stood unshaken because the Lord stood with him.
Under the New Covenant, this presence is no longer a temporary visitor; it is an abiding presence. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God makes His permanent residence within us. His Spirit does not merely visit us in moments of crisis—He abides in our hearts daily, empowering us to walk in victory.
Through the Presence of God 🙌:
1) 🛡️ We Can Conquer Our Fears
When the Lord abides with us, fear loses its grip over our lives.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." — Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
David did not say the valley would disappear, but rather that he would fear no evil while walking through it. Why? Because the Shepherd was right beside him. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit produces His supernatural fruit within our hearts:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." — Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
One of the essential fruits of the Spirit is peace. When God’s presence fills your life, He grants you a tranquil heart that defies human understanding. No matter what storms, obstacles, or terrifying circumstances surround you, you remain steadfast because His peace guards your soul.
2) 👣 We Are Compelled to Follow
The presence of God creates a divine compulsion within us to obey His voice, regardless of the cost or personal sacrifice.
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night... Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." — Joshua 1:7-9 (KJV)
When God commands, His presence removes our inclination to make excuses or cling to our personal comfort zones. Consider the Apostle Paul: despite enduring relentless hardship, his life demonstrated the spiritual fruit of longsuffering (patience under severe trial). He yielded his entire life to Christ's call because he knew the Lord was standing by him, strengthening him to fulfill his mission.
3) ⚓ We Can Cope From Failing
Even when we fall or make mistakes, the abiding presence of God provides the path to restoration and spiritual recovery.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions... Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy Spirit from me." — Psalm 51:1, 9-11 (KJV)
When King David fell into the catastrophic sins of adultery and murder, he was broken and sorrowful. Yet, his primary plea was not merely for the removal of consequences, but for God not to take His Holy Spirit or presence away. David was able to bounce back and cope with his immense failure because God’s presence invited genuine repentance, forgiveness, and renewal. God’s presence does not abandon us in our failures; instead, it lifts us up, cleanses us, and restores our walk with Him.
