We talked about pursuing His presence last month. For this month, we are going to explore what happens when people encounter His presence. As we search the Scripture, we discover that there are many instances whereby people do encounter God’s presence, resulting in their lives deeply impacted. Take for instance, Abraham. An encounter with God and he was called the friend of God. The encounter changed Abraham’s life and he received a son. Moses’ face shone for 40 days after he encountered God. Jacob limped for the rest of his life after encountering God. Jacob’s physical limp was an outward reminder of his seeing God face-to-face and an inward reminder to walk humbly before God. Something died when Paul met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. After his encounter with Christ, Paul faced death so many times: beatings, shipwrecks, stoning and robbery. He lived as though he didn’t fear death because the old Paul had died when he encountered Christ. A new Paul unselfishly served the Lord after that experience.

We may think that only people in the past encountered God and that God met people in the Bible but He doesn’t do it today. But Jesus told John on the Isle of Patmos, “I am the One who was, who is and who is to come.” (Rev. 1:8). This means that the Lord will live in the future, and He lives today. He still encounters people today as He did yesteryears.

An encounter with God is available to all people –that means you and me. The young encountered God – Gideon and Jeremiah – as well as the old: Moses on Sinai and John on Patmos. Therefore, no matter your age, you can encounter God. People had an encounter with God for many purposes. Some unsaved were converted, such as Saul, who later became the great Apostle Paul. Some godly people encountered Christ to worship Him. Others encountered for a call to vocational service, for a new task, to encourage them, to break their break or to restore them from backsliding. So no matter what problems you have in life, you can encounter God to solve your problems.

It appears that God encounters His people during deep times of need to bring relief and restoration. Elijah met God during a backslidden and discouraged state. And out of Elijah’s deep discouragement came a new spirit of service. Jeremiah, Isaiah and Ezekiel encountered God when they saw their nation collapsing around them. And out of Isaiah’s broken dreams came a new purpose in life. Out of Ezekiel’s ordinary dull life, came a new level of power. Out of John’s captivity came freedom of worship. When Jacob was afraid to face a vengeful brother, he encountered God. These problems motivated these men to search for God. But some others were encountered by God, even though they were in rebellion to Him. Saul hated Christ when he met Him on the Damascus road. And out of Saul’s rebellion came an obedient will. Peter had denied Christ three times and Christ came back to restore him. And out of that brokenness, came a new commissioning for ministry that set Peter as the Chief Apostle.

The answer to your problems is not in an experience, nor is your focus on an encounter the most important thing. It is not a “fix,” nor is it a feeling. You must meet God; it is Him that you need. He has the ability to help you through your problem when you hurt or when you yearn for some glue to hold your life together. God is your answer. But almost no one recognizes his or her need of God. Yet St. Augustine, an Early Church father, correctly analyzed the problem when he said, “Thou hast formed is for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.”

Let me conclude by quoting something what Dwight Moody had written long ago to admonish you in your quest to seek God and obtain an encounter with Him, “Do not expect the same experience you had two or twenty years ago. You will have a fresh experience. And God will deal with you in His own way.”

Blessings,

Pastor Chris Chan