Social distancing to bring the presence of God

² After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.’ Joshua 3: 2 – 4

River Jordan today

When the Israelites set out to cross the Jordan, God gave very specific instructions about what to do. He would provide the miracle of drying up the River Jordan, which was in full flood. The Israelites just had to follow the ark into the riverbed and cross over. However there was one important instruction, they must keep a distance of 2000 cubits or 900 metres. That is quite a distance.

When reading this recently, I immediately thought of social distancing. In the UK at this time, due to COVID19, everyone must keep two meters apart.  Both instructions to keep distance are for people’s safety. At this virus time, it is to reduce the possibility of catching the disease. When crossing the Jordan it was to avoid accidentally touching or coming into contact with the ark.

The ark represented the presence of God, which is both holy and precious. Not something to be treated casually. Uzzah discovered to his cost that touching the ark, no matter how well intended, meant the loss of his life (2 Samuel 6).

God made sure with his social distancing there was absolutely no chance of anyone coming near the ark. At 900 meters away people could hardly see the ark, let alone get close to it. Don’t forget the Israelites had all their children, sheep and goats to cross over, and none of these have any idea about social distancing. Giving a clearance of 900 meters meant that even a flock of wayward sheep could be retrieved, before they became entangled in the priests holding up the ark in the middle of the riverbed. 

Even today, God’s holy presence is still not something to be treated lightly or casually. As we pursue God, to draw nearer and know him better, his presence will still kill the flesh. This is a good thing if we are prepared, but are we ready for what may have to go? Our preferences, opinions, prejudices will be exposed, and will need to be placed on the altar if we are serious about seeking the presence of God. Consider what sacred cows we may have that will need to be sacrificed.  However everything we give to God will seem to be very unimportant when we have the very presence of Jesus instead.

Our lifestyles may have been significantly altered by the virus, but if the presence of God comes in manifest power and glory, not just our lives, but society itself will be even further changed. Isn’t this what we desire? To bring the very presence of Jesus to a hurting, dying world with great signs and wonders. But it is costly.

The Welsh and Hebridean revivals showed that society was fundamentally altered, and not everyone liked it. Those who lived through those revivals though, and embraced God’s presence had their lives transformed till the day they died.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12: 1

Presence in the days ahead

God tests our hearts in Life’s transitional moments, because the priorities we set at gear-change times can fix our course for years to come. Peter Grieg Dirty Glory

There is no doubt that this season of virus and lockdown has been a gear-change moment for all of us. Most of us have had the opportunity to re-evaluate our priorities, what and how we spend our time and with whom. Many Christians have taken the opportunity to reconnect with God in fresh ways. This has been an occasion of spiritual encounter and as we have experienced his presence, it has been wonderfully re-invigorating.

The question now is ‘What next?’ As lockdown eases and we start life in our new normal with different working practices, less travel, children starting to return to school, meeting family and friends again, how are these fresh experiences of God, these spiritual encounters and his presence going to affect us? We have two choices I believe. Settle or move on.

When Peter and John were immersed in the glory of the Transfiguration, they wanted to settle and build shelters for everyone. But Jesus had a calling to fulfil. He had not finished his teaching ministry, let alone his ultimate destination of the cross and resurrection. Refreshed he moved on back down the mountain and into his destiny.

We can take our new normal and add the presence of God to it, or we can make the presence of God the priority. I want the presence of God to lead me and shape the days ahead.

Gear change moments are incredibly important. The decisions and practices we establish in this new era, will dictate how life pans out in the future. This may feel like a wonderful new normal, less travel, opportunities for more family and friends time but without the presence of Jesus going before us, they will soon feel just as faded and jaded as the old times. Of course you may be in the midst of great uncertainty with your work, huge stresses with your family but how much more do we need to seek the presence of Jesus to carry us in the insecurities of the days ahead?

As Joshua and the Israelites stood on the banks of the River Jordan ready to move into the Promised Land, this is what happened.

² After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. Joshua 3: 2 – 4

None of us have been this way before. We’ve never experienced a virus like this. We’ve never been confined to our homes for weeks before and we’ve come out of this season unsure of the way ahead. However the one thing we must do is follow the presence. God will guide us.

This is the time to discern God’s voice. I believe he is calling each of us into his new normal and that may require stepping out of the boat onto the water.  Not squeezing God into our changed schedules but making God the destination.

Moses got it. 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?”

¹⁷ And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Exodus 33: 15 - 18

You see what distinguishes us from everyone else is not going to church, having cleaner lips, spending our money better, being kinder. It is God’s presence. As we seek God for his presence it will overflow into every area of our lives, touching all those we come into contact with.

However like Moses, let us also be people who having experienced his presence now say ‘Show me your glory.’