The Power of Presence | Pastor Brandon O. McAfee | July 2, 2026

Good morning and welcome to Morning Impact! One of the greatest gifts God gives us is not simply His provision—it is His presence. In Joshua 1:5, God makes Joshua an incredible promise: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Before Joshua crossed the Jordan. Before the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. Before Israel experienced victory after victory, God gave Joshua something greater than a strategy. He gave him His presence. Church, there are moments in life when God's presence is more valuable than God's presents. Because when you know God is with you, you can face whatever is standing in front of you. Imagine what Joshua must have been feeling. Moses was gone. The nation was looking to him for leadership. He was stepping into shoes no one thought could be filled. He had witnessed God perform miracles through Moses, but now he had to trust that the same God who empowered Moses would also empower him. Isn't that where many of us find ourselves? We know what God did in someone else's life. We've heard testimonies from parents, grandparents, pastors, and seasoned saints. We've seen God answer prayers for other people. But eventually, there comes a moment when we need our own encounter with God. Borrowed faith can inspire us, but personal faith sustains us. That's why Joshua's promise speaks so powerfully to us today. God didn't tell Joshua, "Remember what I did for Moses." God said, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you." In other words, Joshua didn't have to become Moses to experience God's power. He simply had to trust that God's presence was just as real in his own life. The same is true for us. God doesn't have grandchildren; God only has children. Every believer has direct access to His presence. You don't have to live off someone else's testimony when God desires to write one through your own life. Life has a way of making us feel isolated. We experience seasons when grief leaves us feeling alone. Anxiety convinces us no one understands. Financial pressure keeps us awake at night. Family struggles weigh heavily on our hearts. Ministry can become exhausting. Parenting can become overwhelming. Caring for aging parents can become difficult. There are moments when even surrounded by people, we still feel lonely. But one of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is this: God's presence is not determined by our feelings. Even when we cannot feel Him, He is still faithfully walking beside us. Think back over your own life. There were seasons when you didn't know how you were going to make it. Yet somehow you made it. There were doctor's reports that frightened you, but God carried you through. There were financial challenges that seemed impossible, but somehow your needs were met. There were tears you cried in private that no one else knew about, yet God collected every one of them. Looking back now, you realize it wasn't your strength that sustained you—it was God's presence carrying you every step of the way. Sometimes we don't recognize His footprints until we've already come through the storm. Today, don't spend all your energy asking God to remove every obstacle. Instead, thank Him that He has promised to walk with you through every obstacle. The presence of God doesn't always eliminate the battle, but it gives us confidence in the battle. David still faced Goliath. Daniel still entered the lions' den. The Hebrew boys still walked into the fiery furnace. Paul still endured imprisonment. Yet each one discovered that God's presence was greater than their predicament. The promise was never that life would be easy. The promise is that we would never walk through it alone. As you move through this Thursday, pause throughout the day and simply acknowledge God's presence. Before your next meeting, whisper, "Lord, thank You for being with me." Before making an important decision, pray, "Guide my steps." Before responding to a difficult conversation, ask for His wisdom. Before going to bed tonight, reflect on the ways God carried you through another day. Remember this: God's presence is your greatest source of peace, your greatest source of courage, and your greatest source of hope. Wherever you go today, you do not go alone. Prayer Gracious God, thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. Thank You that You never leave us, never abandon us, and never stop walking beside us. When we feel overwhelmed, remind us that You are with us. When we feel uncertain, remind us that You are guiding us. When we feel weak, remind us that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to become more aware of Your presence today and to trust You in every circumstance we face. We thank You that no matter where life leads us, You have already gone before us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. #MorningImpact #ThePowerOfPresence #Joshua1 #GodIsWithUs