Likeness

2 Corinthians 3:¹⁸ “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (KJV, emphasis added).

We will begin today with the final thought from yesterday’s devotional. The question is what are you beholding? The truth is you become what you behold. When people behold strange things, they become strange things. That is why people can be “Christians” and be wicked at the same time. Such people are beholding wickedness, not Christ. You cannot be a Christian and be wicked or mean-spirited at the same time. If you don’t deal with XYZ person, you won’t rest. Your own kind of forgiveness is when you have drawn your pound of flesh, then you can forgive. Check what you are beholding. The Bible says as we behold Him, we are changed. This means you may have started out that way, but you will not remain that way because as you behold God, you are changed. You become what you behold.

1 Chronicles 11:⁹ “And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.” The Lord of Heaven’s armies will be with you. One of the greatest prayers that can be prayed for you is the Lord be with you. It is the greatest blessing ever. David was about to face Goliath; Saul was perplexed that the young man was about to face a giant. Do you know the only prayer Saul prayed for David? 1 Samuel 17:³⁷ “…Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” I said to myself, why didn’t Saul go and pray the same prayer for himself? Saul said to David, the Lord will go with you. In other words, if God does not go with you, you are dead. I pray for you, in the Name of Jesus, that the Lord will go with you. Wherever you turn, the Lord will go with you in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Our greatest asset as children of God is the presence of God. Your greatest asset as a Christian is the presence of God. That is why David would cry in Psalm 51:¹¹ “cast me not away from your presence”. Take the throne, take the gold, take the silver, but take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit (Psalm 51). Listen, even if you lose everything, do not lose God’s presence. With God’s presence, you can rebuild everything. Let God’s presence be the air that you breathe. Let God’s presence be like the water your fish are immersed in, the soil your plant is rooted in.

You should be able to do without every other thing, but not God’s presence. Let God’s presence be constant in your life. And if you check, the only thing really that is guaranteed is God’s presence. Do not assume, secure God’s presence, and sustain it.

Prayer: Father, teach me to dwell in Your presence perpetually, in Jesus Name. Amen!