"His Glorious Face Series Four."
Rev. Dr. Charles O. Osueke
The Ark of Covenant was the most important furniture in the Tabernacle because it signified the presence of God in leading His people to Canaan and also to battles.
When the Philistines and Israelites were fighting, and the Philistines were already killing Israelites. Suddenly, the Israelites went and brought the Ark into the battle field, consequently there was a great noise in the camp of Israel. They started jubilating. The Philistines became confused and inquired what the noise was all about. They were told that the Israelites had brought the Ark of their God into the battle field. Immediately, the Philistines became afraid and demoralised. They knew that the Ark; which signifies the presence of God would make the difference even on the battle ground. Though, Israel's short-coming was that they did not measure up with the demands of the God of the Ark of Covenant.
The presence of God makes way for His people. His presence pulls down walls of opposition and barrier; no matter how strong or high they might be. There's no power that can withstand the presence of God. And I see those strongholds of the enemy breaking away from your life today in the name of Jesus.
Also, look at when Israel was under the leadership of Joshua son of Nun. They came to a point in their Journey when river Jordan became a barrier and they needed God's intervention. It was the presence of God that later made a way for them.
Let's see Joshua 3: 1 - 3, 14 - 17:
[Bible Text 1]
"Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Accacia and arrived at the backs of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. Three days later, the Israelite leaders went through the camp giving these instructions to the people: 'When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God follow them'. 'When the people set out to cross the Jordan, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. Now it was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, the water began piling up at a town upstream called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed onto the Dead sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the city of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord's Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by them. They waited there until everyone had crossed the Jordan on dry ground".Wonderful! This is surely one of the most dramatic manifestations of the omnipotence of the great God of Israel. Nothing stands in the way of God. When He comes down in any situation. Powers, thrones, nature bow and obey His wishes.
God wants to dwell in the midst of His people. He wants to give them rest and spiritual vitality. That was the intention of introducing the Ark of Covenant in the first place. Also that was why God sent His son. When Jesus was coming, He said His (Jesus') name shall be called 'Emmanuel' which translates to - God with us.
That was God's intention - to dwell permanently with us. God was not satisfied visiting man from time to time. He wanted to have a deeper relationship or interaction with man.
The prophets saw this long ago; ever before it happened. "All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel "God is with us" (Isaiah 7: 14).
When Jesus came into this world, He came with everything we could ever desire in God. This is the greatest mystery of all time - God becoming man. Jesus was fully God and man. When we have Jesus in our lives - that is God dwelling in us. Jesus said "when you receive me, I and my father will come and dwell in you and you in us. Till next week.
God bless you.