Fall
1999
The
Manifest Presence of the Lord P-14
Walter Beuttler
“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the
young
men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall
walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31.
Years ago, I always stayed up until past midnight and then
slept until late in the morning. The Lord let me know that
this was to change, for I was to rise early each morning to
meet with Him. The Lord further revealed that there is a deep
inner satisfaction to be found in no other way, and a reward
that is received when we spend time with Him early in the
morning.
“I love them that love Me, and those that seek Me
early shall find Me ... that I may cause those
that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill
their treasures.” Proverbs 8:17,21 KJV.
Throughout Church history, most all of those who left a mark
upon the Lord's people knew the value of rising early in the
morning to spend time with the Lord. The Word of God also
affirms that the prophets of old rose early.
Although the Lord had made known to me that He desired to
meet with me in the early morning hours, I had a very difficult
time changing my sleep pattern. I would set the alarm for
six o'clock, since I thought this was very early.
When the alarm rang at six o'clock, I would push the button,
turn over, and go back to sleep. Then after awhile, I did
not even hear it when it rang. Finally I said to the Lord,
“This will never do, as I am unable to get up.”
I told the Lord that He would have to help me to get up.
The next evening, I asked the Lord to awaken me at six. I
did not set the alarm, as I knew this had not worked. The
next morning I was awakened out of a deep sleep by a bluejay
that made a terrible racket, very close to my window. I got
up to look for something to throw at it. Then I looked at
the clock and realized that it was exactly 6 AM, and I was
out of bed. But I got back in bed and went to sleep.
That night, I apologized to the Lord, asked Him to please
wake me up at six the following morning, and that I would
get up. At this time, I was staying with an elderly couple
who were very nice and exceptionally quiet. The next morning
I was awakened by a loud argument between the two, right outside
my door. I looked at my clock, and it was exactly 6 AM, but
again I went back to sleep.
Once again that night, I asked the Lord’s forgiveness
and asked Him to wake me up at six o'clock the next morning.
I was awakened by an automobile crash that was so loud that
I jumped out of bed. I looked out the window, but could not
see the cars, so again I went back to bed.
Again, I apologized and told the Lord that I was really ashamed
of myself. I prayed, "Lord, I will not ask You to wake
me up again at six. Instead, Lord, I ask you to make me get
up, and stay up.” The next morning, awakened with a
terrible stomach pain, I ran for the bathroom. By the time
I returned to the bed, I was wide awake. I looked at my clock
and again, it was exactly six o’clock.
Finally, I realized that the Lord was very determined that
I was to get up at 6 AM to seek Him. From that time onward,
I have always been careful to be in bed early enough in order
to be up at six. It is of primary importance that we promptly
respond when the Lord prompts us to come apart and wait upon
Him.
To maintain an abiding walk in the presence of the Lord requires
much self-discipline. Some years ago, I was teaching at a
camp meeting. My wife was with me that year and we were together
in the dining room for breakfast. I had ordered some pancakes
and had asked for them to be made in a special way. The waitress
seemed very pleased when she set them before me. As I sat
looking at them, I felt a strong check in my spirit. My wife
said, “You are not supposed to eat this morning.”
I responded that this was true, and she then said, “Then
why are you sitting there, looking at them?” I felt
embarrassed because they had been fixed special for me; but
I left to go and wait on the Lord.
Being obedient to the Lord is not easy for any of us, but
it is very important that we learn the value of prompt obedience
in order to be available to Him. The Lord said to one of the
prophets, "When you go, do not enter into any house,
or eat or drink with anyone.” The prophet was invited
to eat and to rest, but he had to say no.
It is not easy for us to be obedient, knowing that others
will not understand. This is the reason the Lord said, “If
anyone hears My voice, and opens the door ...” This
means that we may have to make changes in our plans in order
to respond and be obedient.
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat
the good of the land.” Isa 1:19.
For example, some who have an intercessory ministry may be
called by the Lord to come apart to pray while they are still
washing the dishes. The temptation would be to hurry and finish,
and then pray. If this is done, invariably, there will be
no anointing for prayer or intercession. The opportunity would
be missed, as there must be an immediate response.
If any one of us were to go to the home of a friend and knock
on their door, and then we noticed that they were ignoring
our knock and continuing in whatever they were doing, we would
feel hurt and leave. When they would finally respond, we would
be gone and probably never again return.
This experience can be seen in the Song of Solomon.
“I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice
of my beloved. He knocks, saying, Open for me,
my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one;
For my head is covered with dew, My locks with
the drops of the night.
“I have taken off my robe; How shall I put it
on again? I have washed my feet; How can I
defile them?
“My beloved put his hand by the latch of the
door, and my heart yearned for him.”
“I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands
dripped with myrrh, My fingers with liquid myrrh,
on the handles of the lock.”
“I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had
turned away and was gone. My heart went out
to him when he spoke. I sought him, but I could
not find him; I called him, but he gave me no
answer.” SS 5:2-6.
When the Bridegroom came and knocked on the door to her room,
she had already retired, and she made excuses as to why she
could not respond. Finally, when she decided to respond, he
was gone, and that which was intended was missed.
"... I will come in to him, and dine with him
and he with Me." Rev 3:20b.
When we are obedient, not only will a need be met, but our
prompt obedience will lead us into a time of intimate communion
with the Lord. Because none of us easily come to this level
of obedience, if we are sincere and truly desire His presence,
there will be a progression in His dealings that will produce
within us both the will and the ability to obey.
"Behold I stand at the door and knock." Rev 3:20.
This is the Lord’s part. He lets us know that He desires
our total attention, that we might enter into and experience
His manifest presence.
"If anyone"
This is our part, we are given the opportunity to choose
to respond, which choice must be above all other things.
"Hears My voice"
If we are serious about personally knowing the Lord and having
an ongoing relationship with Him, we must develop the ability
to hear, or recognize His voice.
"And opens the door"
The Lord will knock, but we must open the door and invite
Him to come within.
"I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with
Me."
Once we have invited the Lord to come within, we will find
a satisfaction and fulfillment that can be experienced in
no other way, as we commune with Him.
We can easily see that this is a two way street, which requires
an action on each side.
Those who are wise will be prepared to arise early, to enter
into His presence.