ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD

What would I expect out of an encounter with the Almighty? If the Lord were to show up and reveal Himself to me, what kind of experience would that be?

At some points in my life, I'm sure that what I fully expected was that God would come thundering down in judgment and wrath, delivering an angry, "Cut that out!" I was a sinner in the hands of an angry God, fully deserving His vengeance. The fear of God was in me, and I was not yet perfect, so I was not yet ready to encounter Him.

Then I discovered grace, and I read many books about Abba's love for me. I experienced beautiful moments of worship in tender song and affirming words, and I discovered that God was on my side. His interaction with His beloved, if it came in tangible form, would be filled with words of comfort and acts of compassion. His lovingkindness lasts forever, and I was ready, even anxious, to hear more about it.

Perhaps encounters with God are a mixture of both of those extremes. Not a compromise between the two, but a combination of both. Sometimes in the Bible, God speaks harsh words calling for repentance. Sometimes I also read about encouraging words of comfort and consolation. Perhaps the best biblical accounts of an encounter with God could be found in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. In those letters, Jesus generally gives words of comfort and peace, then says, "But I have something against you," and calls for repentance.

In truth, I have encountered God in limited ways many times in my life. The Comforter has whispered words of peace and acceptance that have melted and broken my heart. And the Living God has warned me and called me to repentance in ways that have scared the devil out of me. So, I guess love and fear must temper each other. And when they do, I can begin to trust that my encounters with the Holy One are authentic.

"LORD, I thank You that You have revealed Yourself to us. Moreover, I am awed and grateful that You have, in a limited sense, revealed Yourself to me. I want to know You more. I want to know Your power, and the fellowship of sharing in Your suffering, and I most of all want to hear You say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' I am Your servant, and Your son. Now, show me Your glory, revealed in fulness in Your Son and manifested to me through Your Spirit, one God, without end. Amen."
-ker