An Encounter with God

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 Introduction

The human spirit, endowed with a profound yearning, inherently longs to experience the transcendent and supernatural presence of the Almighty God. Within the sacred pages of Scripture, we are privileged to encounter captivating narratives that chronicle the lives of individuals whose very trajectories were radically reshaped through profound encounters with the divine. From the Apostle Paul's life-altering experience on the road to Damascus, to Mary's visitation by a heavenly messenger, and the shepherds' awe-inspiring celestial encounter while tending their flocks, these moments possess the power to reshape destinies and illuminate our understanding of the divine. However, as we delve deeper into these transformative encounters, we must also acknowledge that not everyone willingly embraces or welcomes such profound connections with the Almighty. Today, we will explore several of these remarkable encounters, examining their profound significance and the profound impact they can have on our own lives as we seek to deepen our relationship with the Living God.

Isaiah's Vision of the Sovereign Lord

Let us begin by considering the profound vision experienced by the prophet Isaiah, as recorded in Isaiah 6:1-8. In this pivotal moment, Isaiah beholds the Lord seated upon a majestic throne, exalted and lifted high, with His train filling the temple. Surrounded by seraphim proclaiming the holiness of God, Isaiah is overcome by a deep sense of his own unworthiness and the sinful condition of his people, lamenting, "Woe is me!" It is in this encounter that a seraphim purifies Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, declaring that his iniquity is taken away and his sin is purged. Overwhelmed by the vision of the Lord's transcendent majesty, Isaiah responds with a renewed commitment, saying, "Here am I; send me." This experience teaches us that true encounters with God lead to a profound awareness of our own inadequacies, followed by a transformed life and a willingness to serve Him wholeheartedly.

Moses and the Burning Bush

In Exodus 3:1-6, we find Moses tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, when he arrives at the mountain of God, Horeb. There, he witnesses a miraculous sight: a bush that burns but is not consumed by the flames. As Moses approaches to investigate this extraordinary phenomenon, God calls out to him, instructing him to remove his sandals, for the ground he stands on is holy. God then identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, overwhelmed by the encounter, hides his face, fearing to look upon the divine. This encounter reveals the holiness of God and serves as a divine summons to transformative service, just as it did for Moses.

Jacob's Heavenly Vision

In Genesis 28:10-19, we read of Jacob's dream, where he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending upon it. In this vision, God reaffirms His covenant with Jacob, promising him the land and that his descendants will be a blessing to all families on earth. Upon waking, Jacob recognizes the profound significance of this place, calling it "the house of God" and "the gate of heaven." This vision symbolizes the direct access we have to God through Christ, our mediator, as emphasized in 1 Timothy 2:5, highlighting the bridge between humanity and the divine.

The Thief's Transformative Encounter

Consider the thief who was crucified alongside Jesus, as recounted in Luke 23:32-43. In his final moments, this man, likely destined for eternal separation from God, turns to Christ and requests to be remembered in His kingdom. Jesus assures him, "Today you will be with me in paradise." This encounter illustrates that it is never too late to experience the transformative power of God's grace and forgiveness, no matter one's past or present circumstances.

The Apostle Paul's Humble Revelation

The Apostle Paul's experiences of divine revelation, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:1-9, demonstrate that true encounters with God lead to profound humility. Despite the extraordinary nature of his visions and revelations, Paul chooses to boast in his weaknesses, recognizing that God's grace is sufficient for him. This serves as a powerful lesson that encounters with the divine should not breed pride, but rather a deep sense of unworthiness and a reliance on the sustaining grace of the Almighty.

God's Unbreakable Desire for Connection

The overarching plan of God for His children is one of unbreakable connection, as seen in John 6:37-38, which assures us that all who come to Him will never be cast out. Our link to Heaven remains open and uninterrupted, as we are united in the body of Christ, as affirmed in 1 Corinthians 12:27. This truth is further reinforced in Ephesians 2:6, which declares that we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, a testament to the enduring nature of our relationship with the divine.

The Unwelcome Encounter

However, it is crucial to recognize that not everyone willingly embraces or desires an encounter with the Almighty. In Revelation 12:12, we read of Satan's expulsion from heaven, where a heavenly voice proclaims, "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." This passage reminds us that Satan, the accuser of the brethren, does not enjoy an encounter with God and actively seeks to disrupt the divine connection. Additionally, the stories of Balaam and Judas serve as sobering examples of those who had encounters with God, yet their responses were not aligned with the transformative power of such experiences, ultimately leading to their downfall.

How Does God Reveal Himself?

The Scriptures make it clear that God reveals Himself in various ways, as affirmed in Hebrews 1:1-2: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." We find that God speaks to us through His unerring Word, as declared in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the ultimate revelation of God, as emphasized in John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh." Nothing supersedes the power and authority of the Word of God, for as Jesus said in Luke 16:16-17, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."

What has your Encounter done for you?

The encounters with God that we have explored demonstrate that true encounters with the divine lead to profound humility and a transformed life. As seen in the lives of Isaiah, Moses, and the Apostle Paul, when individuals encounter the majesty and holiness of God, they are overwhelmed by a deep sense of their own unworthiness and sinfulness. However, it is in these moments that God's grace and purification are revealed, empowering them for service and a renewed commitment to follow Him. The encounters we have with God should never breed pride or self-reliance, but rather a deep dependence on His sustaining grace and a willingness to be used for His purposes.

What Did Moses Desire for the People of God?

In Numbers 11:24-30, we find Moses gathering seventy elders of Israel to receive the Spirit of the Lord. As God imparts the Spirit upon the elders, enabling them to prophesy, two elders, Eldad and Medad, also receive the Spirit and begin prophesying in the camp. When Joshua urges Moses to stop them, Moses responds with a profound desire, saying, "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" Moses recognized that God's ultimate plan was for His Spirit to be poured out upon all His people, empowering them for divine service and a deeper connection with the divine.

The Fulfilment of Moses' Desire Comes 1,500 Years Later

The fulfilment of Moses' desire comes to pass approximately 1,500 years later, as recorded in Acts 4:31-32: "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers, empowering them with boldness and unity, just as Moses had longed for. This outpouring of the Spirit is a testament to God's desire to connect intimately with His people, fulfilling the vision that Moses had for all of God's people to experience the transformative power of the divine encounter.

The Glorious Ultimate Encounter

As we anticipate the final and ultimate encounter with Jesus Christ, we find hope in 1 John 3:2-3, which assures us that when He appears, we shall be transformed to be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. This glorious reunion is vividly described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, where all believers, both the living and the dead, will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever, a moment of unparalleled joy and eternal fulfilment.

Conclusion

As we reflect on these profound encounters, we must ask ourselves: What impact has your own encounter with the divine had on your life? May our hearts be open to the transformative experiences that God desires to provide, leading us into deeper faith, a greater understanding of His boundless love, and a steadfast commitment to live for Him in obedience and faithful service. For it is through these life-changing encounters that we are empowered to become vessels of His grace, light, and redemption in a world in desperate need of the divine touch. However, let us also be mindful that not all will willingly welcome such encounters, for the enemy of our souls seeks to disrupt the connection between the Creator and His creation. May we, as God's children, embrace the divine call to encounter the Almighty, allowing His transformative power to shape us and equip us for the fulfilment of His eternal purpose, even as we extend His invitation to those who have yet to experience the life-altering impact of an encounter with the Living God.