Text: Isaiah 59:1-9
1 Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
LOSS OF DIVINE PRESENCE
Memory Verse: Psalm 51:11 “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
The greatest tragedy of flirting with darkness is the loss of God’s presence. The Scripture makes it clear that sin separates man from God: “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you” Isaiah 59:2. This separation is not always immediate or visible, but over time it becomes evident in the emptiness and dryness of a believer’s life.
A classic example is Samson. Though anointed with extraordinary strength, he continually played with compromise. At last, when Delilah betrayed him, the Scripture records the sobering words: “He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the LORD had left him” Judges 16:20. The most painful reality is not losing battles, wealth, or reputation, but discovering that God’s presence is gone.
Divine presence is your greatest treasure and asset. Moses understood this truth when he cried in Exodus 33:15: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Without His presence, there is no guidance, no covering, and no favour. Life becomes a wilderness without direction.
When a believer chooses to live in sin, secrecy, or compromise, the Holy Spirit is grieved Ephesians 4:30. At first, conviction comes strongly, reminding the heart of God’s will. But if ignored repeatedly, His voice becomes fainter until the person is left prayerless, restless, and spiritually powerless. This is the slow fading of divine presence.
The most dangerous part is that one can still engage in religious activities, sing, preach, or serve, yet without the living presence of God. Outward appearances may remain intact, but inwardly the fire is gone. Such spiritual dryness is a warning sign that the light is fading and darkness is creeping in.
Therefore, guarding the presence of God must be your highest priority. His presence brings life, peace, direction, and power. To lose it is to lose everything that makes the Christian walk victorious.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 87 “REDEEMED FROM CHAINS OF DARKNESS” By Apostle James Abache
- From the depths of darkest night,
Where the shadows hide the light,
I was bound in chains of fear,
Held by powers far and near.
But my Savior heard my cry,
Spoke His name and set me free.
Now in His grace, I rise and stand,
Redeemed by His mighty hand.
Refrain:
I am free, I am free,
By His blood, delivered me!
No more chains, no more strife,
I am saved, and restored to life.
Hallelujah, praise the King,
From the pit, He’s called me out to sing!
- Satan’s whispers lost their power,
In the light of that great hour,
When the Lord’s voice called me whole,
Restoring peace unto my soul.
No more torment, no more night,
I am free in His great light.
He has broken every chain,
Nevermore to be enslaved!
Bridge:
In His name, the demons flee,
At His feet, I find my peace.
Victory, forever mine,
In the blood of Christ divine!
- Now I walk in freedom’s light,
With my Savior by my side,
For the One who freed my soul,
Now leads me to a life made whole.
I’ll forever praise His name,
For He broke the devil’s claim,
And forever I will sing,
Of the One who is my King.
Today’s Prayer
- Lord, do not take Your presence from me. Restore my intimacy with You and let me never walk alone in Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Father, purge my life of anything that grieves Your Spirit. Let Your presence overshadows me daily with power, guidance, and peace in Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Oh Lord, restore Your presence to every backslider. Let those who have drifted away encounter Your mercy and be revived in Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
