Psalm 9:2-3  ‘I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.’

• DAILY READING      Ephesians 2; Ezekiel 6-7; Isaiah 40

It is truly amazing the impact and imprint the life of Dr. David Livingstone made in the world. He inspired hundreds of men and women to give their lives for African missions. Mary Slessor, for example, decided to follow his footsteps, and, in 1875, arrived in Calabar, to begin an astounding missionary work.  Peter Cameron Scott, founder of the Africa Inland Mission, was inspired to return to Africa after his first mission failed when he read the inscription on Livingstone’s tomb in Westminster Abbey: “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring.”

Though born into poverty yet despite his poor background Dr. David Livingstone ended up  becoming one of the most popular British heroes of the 19th century.

David Livingstone arrived in Africa in 1840 at the age of 27 as a missionary and physician. He spent most of the remainder of his life on the continent. His exploration of the African interior, particularly the Zambezi River area in 1852-1856 led to the discovery of the Victorian falls.  In early November 1855, Livingstone travelled down the Zambezi River to see for himself the area the natives called “smoke that thunders.” It was during this expedition that he became the first European to witness the magnificence of the Victoria Falls.

He made some of the most prodigious, and most dangerous, explorations of the nineteenth century, travelling through lands which no white men had ever set foot on.. His object was to open a  missionary Road or ‘God’s Highway,’ through which the Gospel could gain access to the African hinterlands. He also fought hard to stop the African slave trade. His life was a reflection of God’s amazing grace  and guidance. He suffered many bouts of fever that could have killed lesser men, yet he survived. He passed barbaric tribes and chiefs, who resisted him, and yet God gave him victory through it all. The story of his exploits remain an amazement even to the present generation. But his great secret was awareness of God’s unmistakable Presence. David succeeded due to a strong assurance of God’s abiding Presence. This also has been the secret of great men of God who have done exploits in the kingdom.

Speaking of Moses, Hebrews 11:27 said ‘By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.’

It was the invisible Presence of God that made Moses to dare pharaoh and lead the Jews out of bondage. Likewise, our greatest asset in life and ministry is awareness of God’s Presence. Knowing that you are surrounded by God’s power will change your walk and embolden your talk. It will destroy fear forever from your heart, and cause you to do the impossible, knowing the greater One is in you.

Psalm 114 records that when Israel left Egypt, it was God’s Presence that made the red sea to part, and caused the mountains and hills to skip.  And in Acts 10:38, The Bible says ‘Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.’. So it was God Presence being with Jesus, that made demons to scream at His appearance and also led to the mighty signs and wonders in His ministry.  Likewise, when we carry God’s Presence, evil will see us and flee, because evil can never stand where God abides. God’s Presence is an unbeatable asset in the journey of life. When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, why you will fear no evil, is because God is with you.

Psalm 9:3 says ‘When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.’ And Psalm 97:5 says, God’s Presence causes the hills to melt like wax before you.  So God’s Presence ensures evil never survives around you. Indeed God’s Presence makes the difference. And God’s Presence is available to every child of God. The same way God’s Presence was with Jesus, so can it be with us.

In John 8:29, Jesus said ‘And He that sent  Me, is with Me, The Father had not left Me alone, for I do always those things that please Him.’

In the same way, for The Father to be with us, we have to do the  things that please Him. And one of the key things that pleases God is praise. And as we maintain His Presence through High praises today, we can be assured of unending victory in every battle of life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to maintain Your Presence through doing those things that please You always. Grant me the grace to praise You always, so that Your Presence can always abide with me, and make the difference in my life in Jesus Name.

Quote

When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.