EZEKIEL 39:28–29
But I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God.
Have you ever been somewhere where suddenly the tangible presence of God is poured out? I am talking about the Glory of the Lord manifesting somewhere where it is unmistakeable and unignorable. That is what awakening or revival is all about, God coming down among His people. That is what Ezekiel is describing in today’s verse, a time when the Lord would pour out His Spirit on the people of Israel. Jonathan Edwards spent much of his life navigating the outpouring of the Spirit on the American colonies back in the 1700’s. Apparently the Lord came down in his church in Northampton in 1734 and ultimately spread throughout the thirteen colonies. Lives were changed and a nation was birthed. Here is how Edwards describes God’s outpouring.
“When he pours out his Spirit on a people, he does as it were leave the heavens, and come down and dwells. And then there are many glorious tokens of his favor and mercy to be seen amongst them: it makes a most happy and blessed alteration amongst a people. When God is thus amongst a people, he brings salvation with him. There is at such a time a happy and blessed alteration made in many persons. Sinners are reformed of their wicked practices; and not only so, but many are savingly changed. They are turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Poor captived souls are delivered and rescued from Satan’s cruel bondage. ’Tis a time of redemption out of captivity: ’tis a joyful time amongst poor enslaved captives, when there comes a time of redemption…”
Edwards described significant changes in individuals lives during these seasons of outpouring. This has been true throughout history, the ministry of Jesus was a great example of that. Sinners of every kind were impacted by the move of the Spirit in the ministry of Jesus. There were immoral folks who became pure, political activists who became ministers, and thieves who became generous followers of the Lord. Every kind of sinner was changed and found contentment in the outpouring of the Spirit in those days. The best news of all, it is happening again. We can all get under the influence of the Spirit Who is being poured out on all of us.
