Is there a difference between the gifts of God and the presence of God?
I believe there is. Recently, I was sitting in a parked car in London waiting for my cousin Jeremiah.
I heard a knock on the window, and when I turned, I saw a beggar. I gave her some money. She received the gift and went away. A few minutes after Jeremiah returned and we drove off.
That woman received a gift from me whiles Jeremiah was not in my presence.
Who do you think is better off; Jeremiah or the beggar?
The answer is simple; Jeremiah.
The woman had a one-time gift, but Jeremiah had continual access to me. He could potentially benefit from a financial gift plus many other blessings like counsel, anointing, friendship, etc.
One day God became angry with Israel. He told them he will give them the gift of the Promised Land, but they will no longer enjoy his presence.
Exodus 33:3-4
“Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
The reason was, they were stubborn or stiff-necked; they refused to obey his word. It is better to have the presence of God than the gift of God.
Stubbornness will rob you of the presence of God, and obedience will cultivate it.
Kakra Baiden
