Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 10.03.2017” on Spreaker.
Devotional 20 in our series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Close Encounters with God
Here’s the question for consideration: Why would God give anyone a revelation of Him?
“And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink” (Exodus 24:10–11).
How did you just read past that? Did you notice the opening phrase in our theme text? The Bible said that Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, “saw the God of Israel.”
Last Seen
When was the last time you actually saw God? I am not talking about figuratively, spiritually, or philosophically where you knew He was at work in your life. I am not talking about the time He gave you the assurance He was with you. I am not talking about the times He delivered you from disasters, trials, and difficulties and you had the assurance that He was in your life. Praise Him for all of those experiences. What I am asking is when you saw God last.
There have been times throughout history when God graced His people with as much of a glimpse of His majesty as they could handle. And whether in vision or some other miraculous manifestation of His condescended form, when they saw Him, their lives were never the same again. Our words fail in capturing the awesomeness of His visible presence. He commanded the worlds to be created; the One whose name is holy. He said, “Let there be light,” and that light shines until this day; the One of whom the prophets spoke allowed more than seventy feeble men, though sanctified, to get a peek of His effulgent beauty and they lived.
Just a Glimpse
Let that sink in. Jacob got a glimpse and “called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:30). Isaiah got a glimpse and said, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).
HalleluJAH! Are you getting this? The same God who told Moses to set a hard boundary at the foot of the mountain so nobody would even touch it, lest they die, gave these men a glimpse, and they lived. Our God is so kind, loving, patient, beneficent, and merciful that He was willing to give His people a fresh revelation of Him so they could be safe in His presence. He loves you so much that He is willing to give you a revelation too. He manifests His presence in our lives differently, but if you are willing and submissive, He will give you just what you need.
Until He Returns
Let’s pause here, friends, and get ready for tomorrow’s devotional thought. I want you to do me a favor, please: give thanks for the many times God manifest His presence in your life to comfort you when you needed help when your loved ones died; when He gave you hope after you failed to keep your promises to Him; when He eased your pain following invasive surgery; when He strengthened you while you were at your weakest. Give thanks. Ask Him for a new revelation of His presence and will in your life as you await His face. Jesus is on His way. It will not be long now.
