In our modern Christian walk, we often hear people casually mention having “revelations” or “encounters” with God. But what does a true divine encounter look like, and how does it transform us? Today, let’s explore the profound impact of genuinely experiencing God’s presence and how it should reshape our lives and faith.
Throughout scripture, we see examples of individuals who had life-altering encounters with the Almighty. Moses, standing before the burning bush, heard God declare, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” This wasn’t just a interesting spiritual moment – it was a transformative experience that left Moses trembling in awe.
Isaiah’s vision in the temple provides another powerful illustration. As he beheld the Lord high and exalted, with seraphim calling out “Holy, holy, holy,” Isaiah’s response was one of complete undoing: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
These weren’t comfortable, cozy experiences. They were encounters that shook these men to their core, revealing both the majesty of God and their own unworthiness in His presence. And crucially, these divine meetings resulted in radical life change.
So how does this apply to us today? While most of us may not have such dramatic visions, we are still called to seek genuine encounters with God through His Word, prayer, and the moving of His Spirit. But here’s the challenging question we must ask ourselves: Are our “revelations” truly transforming us?
Too often in contemporary Christian culture, we claim to have powerful experiences with God, yet our lives remain largely unchanged. We might feel emotionally stirred for a moment, but by Monday morning, we’re back to our old patterns of gossip, complaining, and self-centeredness. This disconnect should give us pause.
A true encounter with the living God should leave us profoundly aware of His holiness and our need for His grace. It should instill in us a deep reverence and fear of the Lord – not a paralyzing terror, but a weighty understanding that we stand before the Almighty King of the universe. This holy fear seems to be largely absent in many of our churches today.
In our embrace of God’s grace and love (which are glorious truths!), we must be careful not to lose sight of His transcendent holiness. He is not just our “buddy” or “papa” – He is the Lord God Almighty, seated on the throne, before whom even the seraphim cover their faces.
When we truly grasp who God is, it should radically reorient our priorities and choices. Putting God first becomes not just a nice Christian catchphrase, but the driving force of our lives. We begin to seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else, aligning our careers, relationships, and ambitions with His will.
This doesn’t mean life becomes easy or convenient. In fact, God may intentionally inconvenience us to reveal what’s truly in our hearts. Are we willing to prioritize Him even when it costs us something? Will we choose obedience to His Word over our personal desires or cultural pressures?
Tragically, many professing Christians seem to view God as a cosmic vending machine, to be used when we’re in trouble but largely ignored when life is going well. We come to Him for a job, a spouse, or financial blessing, but once we receive what we want, our fervor for Him often fades. This transactional approach to faith reveals a heart that hasn’t truly been transformed by an encounter with the living God.
So how do we cultivate genuine, life-changing encounters with God? It starts with intentionally setting aside time to seek Him. This means prioritizing prayer, worship, and deep study of Scripture – not just when it’s convenient, but as a non-negotiable part of our daily lives. It means coming to church not just to be spiritually entertained, but to actively engage in corporate worship and to serve the body of Christ.
As we persistently seek God’s face, we position ourselves to experience more of His presence. And in those moments when He does reveal Himself in a deeper way, our response should be one of humility, repentance, and surrender. Like Isaiah, we should be undone by His holiness, acutely aware of our own sinfulness and desperate need for His grace.
The beautiful paradox is that as we encounter God’s holiness, we also experience the depths of His love and mercy. It’s in His presence that we find the grace to truly change, to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ.
A life marked by genuine encounters with God will look radically different from the world around us. It won’t be a roller coaster of emotions, but will be anchored in the unshakable reality of who God is. Even in the midst of trials, there’s a steadfast confidence that comes from knowing we are in the hands of the Almighty.
As we reflect on these truths, let’s ask ourselves some challenging questions:
1. Have I experienced a true revelation of God’s holiness, or am I content with a watered-down, “buddy” version of God?
2. How has my encounter with God changed the way I live? Are there areas where I’m still prioritizing my own desires over His will?
3. Am I actively seeking deeper encounters with God through consistent prayer, worship, and study of His Word?
4. Does my life reflect a genuine reverence and fear of the Lord? How might this be evident to those around me?
May we not be satisfied with superficial spirituality or using God for our own ends. Instead, let’s pursue authentic encounters with the living God – encounters that leave us forever changed, filled with holy reverence, and passionately devoted to His kingdom purposes. As we do, we’ll discover the transformative power of truly knowing the God who is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders.”
