The world is steeped in darkness and is under the influence of the devil. Nothing whatsoever can escape that influence except the presence and power of God. As Christians, the advantage we have in this life is the presence of God in us that the darkness cannot overcome. John 1:3. The fate of those who are under the influence of darkness has already been sealed, and there is nothing that they can do to escape the limitations or bondage the devil had planned for them. Thus, the only way by which we can navigate through the maze of life is by the presence of God which grants us rest.
Man was originally created to live continually in God’s presence. He was to fulfill his assignment and subdue the earth by tapping strength from God rather than by his own inherent strength. Genesis 1:28. However, he forsook God’s presence and relied on his abilities, thereby subjecting himself to the devil’s dominion. As God’s children, we are powerful only when we abide in God’s presence and draw our strength from Him. The results we see are as a result of God’s power at work in us. If we forsake His presence, our labours and efforts will count for nothing. When we fail to live in God’s presence, we are essentially subjecting ourselves to the rule of the devil. There is no middle ground!
The agenda of the devil is always to distract us from God’s presence that he can have the opportunity to bring us under his dominion. He distracted Eve from God’s presence and made her to lust after the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:1-7. Hence, we must sustain our relationship with God consistently and not allow anything whatsoever to distract us from His presence. Nothing is as important as God’s presence in our lives as Christians because it is the foundation of our life and everything we do.
Having a daily consistent relationship with God helps us to know God in increasing measure. As we seek Him through fasting, prayer, and His Word, our love for Him increases and He draws nearer to us. Our nature is gradually changed into the nature of God, and we lose affection for the things of the world in exchange for the knowledge of God. This relationship births the confidence in us to confront the darkness that is prevalent around us rather than comply with it because we have a power in us that the darkness is compelled to obey.
