The distinguishing characteristic of the people of God: His Presence Among Them
Luke 12:35 (NIV)
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
Matthew 25:8 (NIV)
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
Exodus 33:15-16 (NIV)
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
Leviticus 26:11-13 (NIV)
11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you.
12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Ezekiel 37:26-28 (NIV)
26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever.
27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.
28 Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
In Your Midst / Living Among You HE:
1) Saves you
Gives you the victory
2) Takes Great delight in you
Rejoices over you with gladness
3) Quiets you with His love
No Longer rebukes you
Makes no mention of your past sins
Calms all your fears
You will rest in His love
4) He rejoices over you with loud singing
He rejoices over you with shouts of joy