How Good and Pleasant it Is

Dear friends,
I pray you are doing well. I am hungry for God's presence in my life individually and corporately in the church. Some would say, "He is omnipresent; He never leaves us or forsakes." The psalmist asks , where could I go from Your presence?" Answer: "nowhere". That is true. He is in me and upon me; I don't have to go anywhere to find Him. So why am I hungry for something I already have? There is a difference between the omnipresence and the manifest presence of God. In Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Would it be necessary for Jesus to make this distinction if He were speaking only of His omnipresence? No, I believe He is speaking of His manifest presence. Today, I want to look at something that I believe attracts the manifest presence of God.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. Psalms 133: 1,2

The description of the oil being poured on the head of Aaron is the anointing. Let's put it this way. Brethren dwelling in unity is like the anointing. I believe that if we are to experience the corporate anointing it must be in that place of unity. Unity attracts the presence of God. Why is it that God so often manifests Himself in corporate worship? Well, we know in Psalms 22 that God inhabits the praises of His people Israel. I believe it is because when we are praising and worshipping God we are one; we have a single eye, a single focus. When I am lost in worship I am not so much concerned whether the guy next to me is Calvinist or Arminian, my eyes are only on the King.

Let's look very briefly at some of the places in scripture where the Spirit of God was manifest. I know that we have looked at some of these scriptures a number of times before, but I think we need to revisit them, because if we ever needed unity, if we ever needed the presence of God, we need it now.

1. 2 Chronicles 5:13,14 there is a phrase in verse 13 that is key: when the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in thanking and praising the Lord. They were as one to make one sound. When we are making one sound unto the Lord His glory will fill the house.

2. Acts 2: 1 Look at the verse; they were all with one accord in one place. Then came the suddenly.

3. Acts 4:24-31 Here we see the corporate anointing coming in great manifestation. It was preceded by prayer and look how that prayer began,"They raised their voice with one accord......

Based on scripture, I believe we can make the statement that unity attracts the manifest presence of God. God is there in omnipresence, but it is in unity He chooses to manifest Himself in the corporate setting. You may ask,"Won't God manifest Himself to us individually?" Yes, absolutely, but even in an individual there can be divided heart. The doubleminded man receives nothing from the Lord. He will manifest Himself to those who have a single eye and an undivided heart. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. A perfect heart is not a perfect person. A perfect heart is an undivided heart. He is looking for undivided hearts.

If unity is the place of blessing, what is division? It would follow that it is the place of cursing. Jesus said a kingdom divided cannot stand. That is a principle that will apply on every level. A divided church will not stand, a divided nation will not stand, a divided family, or a divided heart will not stand. It seems we have divided ourselves on issues of race, politics, pet doctrines, and sadly even our gifts. Are you talking about compromise? No, there are certain things I refuse to compromise. Doctrine is important;it affects our worldview. I am saying there is a place for deference. If the defense of my nonessential doctrine is destroying relationships and bringing division in the body then I have taken my eyes off the King. For the kingdom of God is not eat or drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 We oft quote this verse in defining the kingdom of God, but what is the context? It is about not destroying a brother because of my personal beliefs. Where the government of God is, there is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Where He reigns there is peace. Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but nothing missing, nothing broken, things as they should be.

The manifestation of the Spirit is really an invasion of the kingdom of God and where the kings reigns there is peace. I have often found that I can be weary, worried, or aggravated when I gather with my brothers and sisters to worship and in the presence of the King I find peace. In the presence of the king there is fulness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures for evermore; in His presence there is peace. We have a promise from the Father that the hungry and thirsty will be filled. Are you hungry for His presence today? What would happen if the next time we gather everyone has a single focus, the King?

Be blessed,
Herb Dean