Embodiment of God's Glory in the Present Age

Many of us have heard these kind of stories. A person or people are placed in a dangerous or precarious situation. God speaks audibly and internally to this person, with clear direction. Through their obedience, plus a bit of supernatural assistance, the dangerous situation is defused. God's protective hand is obvious in the retelling. His peace and power, when combined in harmony with the believer's obedience and faith, inspire a profound miracle, and deliverance from the danger in which the believers find themselves.

I've read or heard a number of stories of this nature over the years. And I have a confession to make. I've always listened to the story and found myself wondering, "Hmm. That's interesting. I wonder what really happened there, or if it ever actually happened at all." Sometimes, I'd apply logical mini-leaps to the story to fill in gaps or explain away the supernatural.

That changed tonight.

A friend of my church, who I personally know, and trust to be one of the most honest and straightforward children of God who I've ever encountered, experienced one of the stories alluded to above.

This friend shared an account with us of a recent event that occurred on a current missionary journey that left me amazed and awestruck. The vividness and detail of the story, especially coming from one whose stories and journeys had been shared with such heartfelt honesty in the past, left absolutely no doubt in my mind of the veracity of the description.

As I listened, I ended up doing the only thing I could do at that time. I praised God for the incredible blessing that He was granting us - a glimpse into the true power of His faithfulness to us, and the power of our lives when we are TRULY surrendered to him. He WILL use us in incredible ways. He WILL impact the world through our person. All we have to do is TRUST in Him - completely and totally, without hesitation, without questioning or doubt.

It's funny. Earlier tonight, during our prayer time, I thanked God for his faithfulness and guidance in our lives. And to be honest, even a couple of hours later, it occurs to me how insincere that prayer was. I'm not suggesting that I didn't mean it. Instead, I didn't have any grasp of the depth and breadth of what I was thanking Him for. Thanks to the retelling of my friend's journey, I have a somewhat better idea. I am hopeful that this is still with me tomorrow, and during the weeks and months to come. I don't want to fall back into the incomplete obedience to which I have become accustomed. I long for the faith that my friend lives every day.

Have you had a first or second hand experience like this, that has wiped away your doubt? Have you truly glimpsed into the majesty of the abundant life which only He can offer us? If you know this Truth, then I encourage you to revel in it. Shout it from the rooftops! Don't let that truth slide into doubt or obscurity or get crowded out by the worries of the day.

I love you all. I pray that God will reach inside of you and profoundly grab you as He has me tonight. I further pray that I don't try to wrest control back. Abba Father, let me be yours, now and for all time.