Read Job 42:1-5
Job had an encounter with the Living God, unlike any he'd ever experienced before.
If it's been a while since I've had that kind of encounter with God, it's time for me to step back and call out to Him.
This kind of interaction with our Lord is needed before any discipline can be established or before any revival can take place. We must go to, and bow before our Holy God!
In fact, encounters with God are really the only basis for our revival. That’s where revival takes place! Such an encounter will also awaken us to our deficiencies (as it did with Job & Isaiah), but it will lead to flooding us with unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:8).
I think the most amazing thing about having an encounter with God like Job’s or Isaiah’s, is that God amazingly would want to have encounters with us; and He always instigates them. With us! With me?!?! Simply amazing! He wants to have encounters with us, or better, He wants to have an encounter with us that continues - sort of like Paul exhorts us to “be ye being filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), or be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit!
Everything He has done throughout the history and existence of the world and mankind points to His love for us. It’s been proven and demonstrated in Christ’s coming, and dying for us, and it’s been displayed in His ability to make our Joy full, even in the midst of any turmoil or trials this world can bring.
I’m praying for you men at GCF this morning, that yours & your family's joy is full today, and at Christmas time, and continually through the year as we seek the God of encounters (John 15:11).
Christmas Eve's Eve 2018