April 11: A House of Presence and Rest

In a Nutshell

Pastor Reuben taught that God builds our lives through faith, love, humility, and wisdom for a specific purpose: He desires our lives to be a “house” that hosts His presence and operates from a place of His rest, regardless of external circumstances.

Anchor Verse

“And He said, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” – Exodus 33:14 (NKJV)

Unpacking the Word

Why does God emphasize building our lives with wisdom, rooted in faith, love, humility, and the fear of Him? Pastor Reuben pointed to the ultimate purpose: God desires to dwell with us and in us. He wants our lives, individually and corporately as the church, to be His house – a place marked by His tangible presence and profound rest.

The sermon drew a powerful parallel between Jacob’s experience at Bethel (Genesis 28) and God’s promise to Moses (Exodus 33). At Bethel, Jacob recognized God’s presence (“Surely the Lord is in this place”) and experienced a vision connecting heaven and earth. He declared it “the house of God” and “the gate of heaven.” Later, God assures Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” These two elements – God’s presence and His rest – are the defining characteristics of the house He intends to build in and through us.

This isn’t just about feeling peaceful when things are good. It’s about cultivating an inner state of rest and abiding in His presence despite life’s storms and challenges. Pastor Reuben used the examples of Jesus sleeping in the boat during the storm and Moses praying from a position of rest (sitting) while Joshua fought. Wisdom from above enables us to maintain this inner peace and connection with God, preventing the enemy from robbing us through stress, anxiety, or offense.

When our lives are built on God’s principles, they become conduits for His presence. We learn to guard our peace, knowing that rest comes from focusing on Him, not our circumstances. We cultivate an atmosphere where His Spirit feels welcome. This “house” then becomes a place where, like Jacob’s ladder, there’s an open heaven – divine exchange, angelic ministry, answered prayer, and the manifestation of God’s glory (Shekinah).

The enemy, using demonic wisdom (envy, strife, etc.), constantly tries to disrupt this peace and presence. But a house built soundly on God’s wisdom can withstand these attacks (“the gates of hell shall not prevail”). Our purpose, then, is to partner with the Holy Spirit in this building process, allowing Him to shape us into vessels that consistently host His presence and demonstrate His rest to a chaotic world. This is how we become the “light of the world” and display God’s manifold wisdom.

Pause and Reflect

1. How connected do you currently feel to God’s presence throughout your daily activities? What helps or hinders that connection?
2. What typically steals your inner peace or rest? How can applying heavenly wisdom help you guard it more effectively?
3. Imagine your life as a “house” for God. What steps can you take to make it a more welcoming place for His presence and a place characterized by His rest?

Faith in Action

1. Intentionally practice “abiding” today. Take short, deliberate moments throughout the day to refocus your mind on God’s presence with you.
2. When you feel stressed or anxious, pause and identify the source. Instead of reacting immediately, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and choose a response that aligns with peace (e.g., prayer, shifting focus, speaking truth).
3. Create a physical or mental space dedicated to seeking God’s presence and rest (e.g., a prayer corner, a specific time for quiet reflection). Use it consistently this week.

A Moment With God Ask God to make your life a true habitation for His presence. Pray for the grace to walk in His supernatural rest, even amidst trials, and for wisdom to guard your heart and mind against anything that would disrupt that peace.

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