In the last couple of post we have been talking about God Encounters. If you want to catch up on these you can go here and here. We will pick up from yesterday and continue to look at some things that we need to recognize when we encounter God.
We need to recognize is that many times we will have an encounter with God when we expect it the least. The Lord is there for us and he is faithful too us in those moments when we least expect it. Most mornings we do not expect it but God is there fresh and new with mercies ready for us.An example of this is seen at the tomb of Christ on the first day of the week when Mary and the other women went to the tomb to put spices on the dead body of Christ they ended up having an encounter with the risen Savior! They were able to fall at his feet and worship Him – it certainly was not something that they expected to happen that day.
Along the same lines but in a different way you also have examples like Jeremiah and Ezekiel who prayed for God to bless them and God’s blessing overwhelmed and surprised them. There are times that you will want God to come and encounter you but you will surprised by the magnitude by which God blesses in that encounter. God will come at that time you least expect it and will bless you beyond what you could ever imagine!
Know this – if God encounters you – it is for a purpose. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us this; The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. God always has a purpose when he encounters us and a message that is meant directly for us. God’s message will be one where we are encouraged to obey God and observe what he tells us to do. When you encounter God – He is going to give you a message that will give you purpose in life! He has a purpose for you so find it and live in that purpose!
Part of that purpose is that God wants us to know Him intimately, which is something else we need to recognize and it is a reason why God will encounter us. He knows us intimately and wants us to know Him intimately! He encounters us so that we will meet with Him and worship Him. John 4:23 tells us; But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. The Father seeks people to worship Him! When we worship Him we learn more about him and the better we know God the better we can serve Him! He will encounter you so that you become more intimate with Him and then you will be a better servant of His! God wants you to know him better – we all need to know Him better!
What is one thing you have learned or have been reminded about God in recent times? How has this thing changed you?
(This series of post has been inspired by the book – God Encounters by Elmer Towns)
This post reminds me of Psalms 119. In it David repeatedly seeks God and wants to know more about God. Continually he tells us that the more he knows about God the more he wants to praise Him and the more he wants to know Him more!
This makes me think of when I was first falling in love with my spouse. The more I knew of this person, the more I wanted to be around them and the more I wanted to know. our relationship with God should be the same way.
TC – the reference back to Psalm 119 is a great thought and the illustration of your spouse is a great thought too! Thanks!
I was just reminded this morning on the drive to work that God is in control while I was listening to Twila Paris’ song “God is in Control.” If anyone saw me in the car they would’ve probably thought me crazy. But I needed that reminder.
I’m about to start reading the book of Ezekiel. Looking forward to seeing how God overwhelmed and surprised him.
Thomas – it is a great reminder that God is in control!
In a few weeks I will deal some with Ezekiel – it should be fun!
Thanks.
I am learning that God is enough. Often we want to go to God for what He gives, but often we miss out that these encounters are about He giving Himself to us, and that is no small feat. It’s beautiful and amazing and humbling.
He is enough- Amen!
What a wonderful reminder. God encounters or times when we need Him might look different then we might expect. Great thoughts and post!
They certainly do Dan! Thank you.
That He can do so much more in a moment of favor than I can do with all my strength and wit.
I seem to have to relearn this over and over Michael! Thanks for adding in my friend!