What an experience – to actually meet with God! Is this possible? What effect would this have upon a person? Do I have biblical examples and is this encounter possible for me in this world today? We know that in the Old Testament we have clear examples of God revealing Himself to many people. Immediately names come to mind like Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Elijah, King Solomon, King David, Jeremiah, Isaiah and the list goes on.
[show_more more=”Click here to read the whole article”] In the New Testament we think of the Apostles Peter and James & John on the Mount of transfiguration, besides their daily encounters with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We have Paul’s incredible encounters with Jesus Christ including his encounter with God when he went to heaven and his manifold experiences with the Holy Spirit throughout his ministry. The effect of these divine encounters had a profound impact on all these people – deep repentance, boldness, purity and holiness and great anointings to ‘set the captives free’ and to establish the kingdom of God on earth, in their day.

One of my favourite New Testament scriptures is found in John 14: 21–22 where Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jesus said what? “I will love him and manifest myself to him’.” Judas, not Iscariot, knew what Jesus was saying when he asked the question, “How is it possible that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus said that He would give a plain disclosure of Himself to those who love Him.

I love the Old Testament scripture that declares in Isaiah 64:4-5 (NKJV) “For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him. 5 You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways.” God has promised to ‘meet’ with the person who rejoices and does righteousness! This is our great imperative! If we draw near to God He declares that He will draw near to us. We become like Jesus through the great and precious promises – a partaker of the divine nature. Christ in us becomes our experience; an experience that surpasses knowledge. Satan and our flesh nature want to “join hands” and say things like, “‘I am not worthy”y, or, “I sought God but nothing happened; it happens to others but not to me.” Any ‘word’ or thought that is contrary to the Word of God is to be rejected. We are to ‘take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ’. It is sooooo important to declare God’s Word to ourselves, to God and to the devil. ‘By the grace of God in Jesus Christ and because of His promise, I declare, “I am rejoicing in my God and doing righteousness, therefore I know God will meet with me!” (Isa 64:5), “I am spending time ‘seeking God diligently’, therefore I boldly declare God is going to ‘reward me’.” (Heb 11:6). We are not worthy of God meeting with us except for the fact that we are in Christ. These declarations of faith based on God’s promises are key to receiving all God wants us to experience.

The following scripture is God’s attitude toward you: “And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (Isaiah 30:18 AMPC). God is so wonderful – Isn’t He!

Blessings,

Anthony Connell
[/show_more]