GLORY ENCOUNTERS
24th Feb 2016
Once you have seen the glory of God you will be changed forever. Familiarity is such an enemy. We talk as if God is our chum, and in one sense He has called us close as His little children, but unless we see His glory and magnificence, as well as His love and acceptance, I do not think we will experience His power released in signs and wonders.
Job knew Him, honoured Him, and God called Job servant and friend, however when God revealed himself as the Almighty One, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, Job saw Him in a new light and proclaimed. “My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5) It was after this revelation that Job prayed for his friends and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.
Peter was radically changed as he saw glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. When he heard the voice from heaven he fell face down on the ground terrified. Later he experienced the tender restoration and forgiveness of Jesus after the resurrection, and was commissioned to a task he felt totally unworthy of.
Being baptised in the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was another glory encounter. The revelation that the glorified, resurrected Jesus was indwelling him allowed him to say to the crippled man at the Gate Beautiful, “What I have I give you. In the Name of Jesus, walk.”
Glory encounters change our understanding of who God is in us, and when we acknowledge the Majesty and Almightiness of our Father and friend, then truly nothing is impossible for God to do. All those who I personally know who are experiencing significant signs, wonders and miracles have had sight giving glory encounters with God.
When Jesus asked Peter, “Who do men say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Jesus responded, “My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am.” And only God in heaven, our Father will open our eyes in this revelatory fashion.
Worship and proclamation of His majesty will focus your attention, but ultimately, those who seek find, and those who ask receive. I am asking for myself to have a new vision of the One who I have loved and walked with for over 60 years. I don’t want to be over familiar, but I do want a new encounter with the Holy Spirit that will display His power and glory in me and through me, reaching a lost generation in our needy world.
Let us not be afraid to ask God for this, because Peter writes, “Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything be good from God be yours!” (1 Peter 1:2 in The Message)
by Joyce Sibthorpe
