The Akure Diocesan AYF President Mr. Festus Oni Olalekan made this known during his sermon at this month’s edition of Youth Week, Youth Week is a monthly program of the youths in the Anglican Communion, this comes up every third Sunday of every Month, at this month edition at the Cathedral Chuch of St. David’s Ijomu, Akure the Ayf Diocesan President made it known that many youths don’t seek the face of God before taking steps.

In the Sermon he tagged God’s Presence Guarantees Success and the text from Exodus 33:12-23

He said God’s presence in all we do as we live our lives determines how far we will go. Moses was not ignorant of this and he however asked for God’s presence to go with them. Many Youths don’t even seek God’s face before taking any step nowadays, when it comes to course of study, career path, relocation, marriage and many others.
We need to understand the voice of God and how he communicates. Don’t wait till when you are at the verge of choosing life partner before asking God to lead you or asking for His Presence to go with you. He will not go with you into what He has not given you go ahead.

I want us to also consider what happened in 1Samuel 4:1-11, Ark of God symbolized God’s presence for the Israelites, they believe that wherever they go to with the Ark of God, His Presence will be with them and grant them victory. We have some instances in the Bible where the Presence of God through the Ark of God gave the Israelites victory. The sinful acts of Eli’s Children led to the departure of God’s presence amongst the soldiers of Israel and they were routed, slaughtered, pursued and eventually the Philistines took away the Ark of God. The same Ark that only few people can touch, it now became an ordinary wood in the hands of the Philistines just because God’s presence departed from there.
Many Christians are just like that, the presence of God left them a long time ago, but they are still acting as if God is with them.

Sin is the cause of separation between man and God, such separation will definitely bring destruction and loss. Similar thing happened in Joshua 7:1-13, the sin of Achan brought death to many Israelites. The same Israelites that have recorded several victory in battlefield, they now became victims. I pray that in place of Victory, you will not be Victim!

In conclusion, if God doesn’t own your heart, He can not fight your battle. You need to be intentional about giving your totality to God, let Him be in charge of your life, commit everything into His hands, allow Him to be your Lord and personal Saviour.
If you have not given your life to Christ or you have backslided, God is ready to accept you and be your Saviour. All you have to do is to let go of your old self, Nail to the Cross all ungodliness, call Him into your heart, confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Also, make sure you fellowship with brethren as the Lord helps you to grow in Him.