Revival -- Full Of Surprises
God is full of surprises. He always has been and I have a sneaky suspicion that He has a trick or two left up His sleeve. But why are we so surprised when God does show up? Could it be that He comes in ways we don't expect? Ways that shatter our preconceived notions of how God should conduct His business with His creation?
We humans like to figure things out. Especially the things of God. But how can we expect to figure out the ways of our Creator? In Isaiah 55:8-9, we are told that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are above our ways -- probably something along the lines of an amoeba trying to comprehend nuclear physics. But being the tenacious creatures that we are, we keep on trying anyway.
When the appointed time for Jesus' earthly ministry arrived, He came in the way God had chosen -- by virgin birth in a lowly manger. And there He lay helpless, wrapped in burial (swaddling) clothes, while angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the lowliest people in the society of the day -- shepherds. Who among us would have expected the King of Kings to be born in a stable instead of a palace? And would we have expected Him to come to earth to die for our sins or to establish His Kingdom? Don't answer too quickly!
Today God is once again visiting His people. He is bringing revival to the world. And once again God is moving sovereignly -- much to the consternation of some in the church. Why? Because some of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit aren't as antiseptic as our society would like. Some claim that any loud or physically visible manifestation couldn't possibly be from God because God
wouldn't make a person "do that." Why not? He made us and He knows better than we what each of us needs for spiritual, emotional and physical healing.
People have a tendency to get a bit nervous with the unfamiliar. But rather than flatly condemn a new move of God, should we not first see what fruit is being born? Yes, there will always be a certain amount of flesh that gets in the way. But should we judge a revival by the few who are moving in the flesh or by those whose lives have been touched, and drastically changed, by God Himself?
Jesus said that a house divided against itself could not stand (Matthew 12:25). Would Satan want to lead people to Christ? Would he want to free them from bondage? Would he want to bring them into a relationship with God? No. Only God would do these things.
By no means should we blindly follow any man. We are admonished to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). But we must also be careful not to dismiss something simply because it doesn't conform to our very human, and very fallible, ideas. There are those who are setting themselves up as judge and jury. They are causing division in the body of Christ. They are labeling and dismissing those who are earnestly seeking God simply because the Spirit of God is moving in new and unfamiliar ways. Do we run the risk of offending the Holy Spirit by crediting His work to Satan (Matthew 12:31-32)?
Each one of us should prayerfully consider each word, each action. Jesus said that we will know those who are His by their fruit (Matthew 12:33). And how will we know God? His sheep will know His voice by spending time with Him in His word, prayer, and praise and worship. But be careful! Just when you think you've got God all figured out -- surprise!!
