DAVID WAS ADDICTED TO GOD’S PRESENCE
David’s historical context and his own psalms reveal that his time tending sheep became his training ground for faith. While singing to God in the fields, playing the harp, and practicing his slingshot, he was preparing to fight the Lord’s battles.
(i) In 1 Sam 16:18 – He was explicitly described as a musician and a psalmist.
(ii) In Psalm 23, David draws on his shepherd experiences to worship “The Lord is my shepherd”.
(iii) In 1 Samuel 17:34-37, David attributed his victories to God: it was the Lord who rescued me from the paws of lions and bears.
(iv) In Psalm 8, David reflects on the skies, the moon & the stars – the natural overflow of spending countless solitary nights outdoors watching over the sheep.
David was so devoted to God’s presence that when an anointing service was held without him, God ensured they waited for David. Prophet Samuel then called and anointed him before his brothers to be the next king. The anointing was clearly drawn to him.
Yet, this was just the beginning. About 13 years later, after King Saul’s death, the people of Judah and Benjamin sought out David and anointed him again as their king.
Furthermore, after seven more years had passed, all the elders of Israel approached David to anoint him king over the entire nation, just as God had promised.
On all three occasions, the anointing came to David; he never pursued it or pleaded with the elders. He focused on seeking God’s presence, and as a result, the anointing came to him, making him the only person in Israel’s history to be anointed king three times.
- KEY POINT – Attract the anointing by being addicted to God’s presence.
JOSHUA SOUGHT TO ABIDE IN HIS PRESENCE
Exo 33:7-11
In this passage, Moses set up a tent outside the camp for people who wanted personal time with God. Whenever Moses went in to worship, the glory cloud came down, and people stood at their tents worshiping. After Moses finished and the cloud lifted, everyone went back to their tents. But the scripture says: “But his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tabernacle.”
Even though there were many distractions in the wilderness, and though he was the leader of the tribe of Ephraim with his own comforts, Joshua chose to stay in the tabernacle. He valued God’s presence more than any other pleasures of youth.
God, who rewards those who seek His presence, noticed Joshua’s devotion. In Num 27:18-20, He told Moses to choose Joshua and honor him by laying hands on him to anoint him. This shows that when you love God and His presence, the anointing comes to you.
In Deut 34:9, we read that Joshua was full of the Spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands upon Joshua.
- KEY POINT – Abiding in God’s presence enhances the anointing.
6 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRESENCE & POWER
It is clear that Moses encouraged Joshua to seek God’s presence deeply. In Exo 33:18, after God promised that His presence would go before them, Moses still asked God for more, saying, “Show me your glory.” Even though Moses had seen God’s power through events like the plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, he now wanted to experience God’s actual presence and character.
This leads to an important distinction: between the presence of God and the power of God.
1) The presence of God is His ways, and the power of God is his works. Ps 103:7
2) The presence of God in you is the inner anointing. The power of God on you is the outer anointing.
3) Presence cannot be imparted. The power of God can be imparted.
4) The presence of God stills us. The power of God stirs us. Ps 23:2
5) You cannot get more of his presence. You can get more of his power.
6) The presence of God cannot grow, but his power grows.
You cannot get more of His presence because you got all of His presence when you are saved; what changes is how much you notice it.
Your relationship with God is like marriage: you receive your whole spouse, but as you live together, you get to know each other better over time.
- KEY POINT: You cannot get more of God. You can grow in your awareness of his presence.
THE CONCLUSION
Consider John 1:35-39. When John the Baptist identified Jesus by saying, “Behold the lamb of God,” two of his disciples began following Jesus. When Jesus asked them, “What do you want?” they replied, “Where do you live?” Jesus invited them, saying, “Come and see!”
Of all the questions they could ask, they inquired about Jesus’ dwelling: “We want to be where you are.” Jesus welcomed them to stay. This demonstrates that when we seek God’s presence, He invites us in, giving rest and revealing His glory.
->Pastor Sundaram began the ACA Church as a small Bible study with just four people. Through dedicated prayer and hard work, the church grew into a mega-ministry with thousands of members. Once, his driver crashed his car. The Car was taken to the police station. The Driver told the Inspector that he would pay the fine and take the car. But the Police demanded to know who the owner was and that he come down to the station to take the car. The driver persisted in taking the car himself, quoting, “They won’t come to the Police Station.” The Inspector was infuriated by this statement and demanded that the car’s owner, Pastor Sundaram, appear at the Police Station. So the driver called pastor Sundaram, who came in an auto. As soon as he stepped into the police station, all the 5 policemen who were present that day stood up abruptly to address him – they knew him not, but they all stood up in respect. Pas Sundaram said, “I am the car owner, and I’m here because you asked me to come in person”. The Inspector promptly gave him the keys and asked him to leave with utmost reverence.
Beloved, as you passionately seek and remain in God’s presence to know Him more intimately, you attract His anointing and gifts. As the anointing in your life grows, so does your honor, effectiveness, and quality of life. You will become a carrier of His glory and a testimony of God’s goodness wherever you go. May this be your experience in 2026, in Jesus’ name! You are Blessed!