STRUCK WITH GLORY

Acts 9:3 – suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground…

This verse describes the sudden flash of glory that struck Saul of Tarsus while traveling to Damascus seeking to enslave Christians. The sudden appearance of Jesus and the glory that flows out from him struck Paul to the ground and left him blind for three days. Out of this encounter came Paul’s revelation of Christ that inspired much of the New Testament and has effected the world for the last 2000 years. It is out of the touch of God that true spiritual revelation comes. Paul received a revelation of the righteousness of God that comes by faith in the death of Christ, he received a revelation of being baptized into the death of Christ, being crucified with Christ and being raised up into newness of life through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul also received revelation about the antichrist, the rapture of the church, and our eternity with Christ in His glory. He also saw the heavenly priesthood of Jesus and the power of His role as our heavenly Intercessor. The touch of God gives us a true sense of spiritual realities. Here is something Edwards said about some of the people who were touched by God in his church and the effect this outpouring had on them.

“But some have their thoughts more especially fixed on God, in some of his sweet and glorious attributes manifested in the Gospel, and shining forth in the face of Christ. Some view the all-sufficiency of the mercy and grace of God; some chiefly the infinite power of God, and his ability to save them, and to do all things for them; and some look most at the truth and faithfulness of God. In some, the truth and certainty of the Gospel in general is the first joyful discovery they have; in others, the certain truth of some particular promises; in some, the grace and sincerity of God in his invitations, very commonly in some particular invitation in the mind, and it now appears real to them that God does indeed invite them. Some are struck with the glory and wonderfulness of the dying love of Christ; and some with the sufficiency and preciousness of his blood, as offered to make an atonement for sin; and others with the value and glory of his obedience and righteousness. In some the excellency and loveliness of Christ chiefly engages their thoughts; in some his divinity, that he is indeed the Son of the living God; and in others, the excellency of the way of salvation by Christ and the suitableness of it to their necessities.”

It is only through the move of the Spirit upon our lives that we can comprehend and lovingly embrace spiritual truth. Christians without a deep touch from the Lord will have little interest in the things that were so precious to Paul and apparently Jonathan Edwards’ congregation in Northampton, Massachusetts. I need a fresh move of God, our church needs a fresh move of God, America is in desperate need of a move of God. Lord visit your people once again that we can rejoice in you.