When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead —Revelation 1:17
Most of the time, God’s impact on our lives is subtle. We have to be alert to know that He is working. But if we know Him, if we are truly His, there will be times that He reveals Himself dramatically in His majesty. This results in what OC calls, the Delight of Despair. It is despair because it occurs at a point when only God can make things right; delight because He comes and does just that.
The smaller everyday annoyances of life are there so that we will know His quiet, gentle touch on our lives. The big things, the tragedies have purpose as well; that we will know His very real, dramatic and hero-like interventions in our lives.
“He laid His right hand on me . . .” ( Revelation 1:17 ). In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” ( Deuteronomy 33:27 ), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” ( Revelation 1:17 ). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?
Tonight at Amana we continue our series on Fear. It has been good. We have been comforted in knowing that others fear as we do. We have been reassured as we learn how He has been “in the boat” and “calmed the storms” in our lives and in the lives of our brothers and sisters. The bottom line is that the situations in our lives that cause us to fear exist so that He may touch us with His support, provision, comfort and strength.
How blessed we are.
Nick
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