Written December 8, 2016 by Byron Wicker

“Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the Lord: “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel” (2 Chronicles 35:3).

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

The Levites carried the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the Presence of the Lord, on their shoulders as the children of Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness. They carried it that way until King Josiah told them to place the Ark in Solomon’s Temple. The move into the temple was symbolic of the Presence of the Lord being placed in the New Covenant temple, the believer’s heart. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) We have this treasure, the Presence of the Lord, in our earthly bodies, but that is only the beginning of our story. At Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan, John the Baptist testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him” (John 1:32). The Holy Spirit is the manifest Presence of God. He doesn’t only dwell in us, but also desires to rest upon us. The Holy Spirit rested upon Jesus and enabled Him to know what the Father was doing and saying. That same gift of the Spirit has been given to us. Jesus called it “being clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

We can have the same relationship with the “power from on high” that Jesus had. Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is like carrying a dove perched on our shoulder. Every movement made and word spoken affects the dove, creating an atmosphere that either welcomes or disturbs His Presence. Being a Presence-bearer grants a life of great privilege that is accompanied by great responsibility. Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you” (John 15:4). To abide in Christ is more than just being connected to Him; it is also accepting or acting in agreement with Him. A practical way we can act in agreement with Him and create a welcoming atmosphere for His Presence is in the songs of praise we sing. “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). God is enthroned, meaning “He sits down on” the praises of His people.

Personal times of praise are vital in releasing God’s peace, wisdom, and power into our daily lives and circumstances. Corporate times of praise are equally essential and have a greater reach and impact than what we can achieve individually. In the Old Testament, wherever the Levites took the Ark, blessings, provision, healing and all the good promises that God has given soon followed. Carrying the Ark was done by more than one Levite. Likewise, when we gather as a church family and share in bearing His Presence in singing songs of thanksgiving, praise, and worship, the supernatural is released, people encounter God, and His name is magnified and glorified on earth as it is in heaven.

Many Blessings, BW

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