For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end ~ Jeremiah 29:10-11.
Introduction
Of a truth, God is always present with us. Albeit, there are spectacular times of supernatural visitation when God formally stops over and spends time with His people purposely to grant them heightened manifestations of His love and power.
Divine visitation describes that sweet experience of supernatural appearance, which effectively culminates in our individual manifestations and accomplishments. It’s the unfailing answer to every form of trouble, frustration and cruel famine (Ruth 1:1-6). Certainly, God does not step into any situation unannounced!
Whenever God shows up, He terminates satanic activities in the lives of His people, especially in situations that have been long standing and have defied all human solutions. When He formally steps in, He provokes for us heaven-on-earth experiences.
When He paid Solomon a formal visit, Solomon became blessed with an unusual wisdom, a long-life of peace, and staggering wealth of an unprecedented magnitude (1 Kings 3:5-13).
Concisely, divine visitation always puts broad smiles on the faces of the visited. God’s visitation doesn’t leave any man on the spot where He meets him. As He visits you this season, may He leave behind in His wake testimonies of loud accomplishments in your life, in Jesus name.
God could visit you no matter the situation (Matthew 8:6). He could visit you no matter who failed in that case before now (Mark 9:17-27). He could even visit you no matter how late it appears. If you doubt this, please ask from Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1-44).
Indeed, when God steps into any situation, no matter how difficult it is, His glory turns it around, and His mighty wonders become inevitable. Even bitter tears are wiped away by the Dayspring from on high (Luke 7:11-16).
For the avoidance of ambiguity, I must emphasize that all “divine visitations” are supernatural events, but not all “supernatural visitations” are divine in origin. Therefore, for our lasting joy, peace and spiritual sanity, we must strictly, solely and wholly follow the Lord and the course of His visitation.
Two Kinds of Divine Visitation
The path to fulfillment of destiny on earth is littered with desperate traitors and wicked predators. Albeit, our Father-God still wishes that we finish strong in the race of life, and accomplish our goals very graciously. Hence, He always chooses to visit us for good, in Christ Jesus.
Whenever God visits His people for good, He releases fresh glory upon them and brings them fitting miracles in order to preserve their dignity, restore their dominion and redeem their honour (Job 10:12; Luke 1:68).
He stepped into Egypt with signs and wonders and mighty acts, and He brought Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:16-17). He visited Abraham, and his wife, Sarah, gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3)! When He visited Hannah, she conceived, and gave birth to three sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21).
However, in the days of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, Moses spoke thus: “If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me” (Numbers 16:29). Very clearly, Moses was referring to two different kinds of visitation: the visitation for preservation, and the visitation for vengeance.
Understanding The Vengeance of God
Whenever God visits His people for good, He simultaneously visits and handicaps their stubborn enemies with His vengeance (Hebrews 10:30). This is to ensure that His covenant children stay out of the reach of evil (Job 5:19).
The truth is, God doesn’t spare His enemies that reject His mercy. He doesn’t hesitate to pour out His vial of vengeance and wrath upon them, but, He readily avenges His covenant children to save them from troubles (Jeremiah 8:12; 10:15).
God’s vengeance is always swift as lightning and deadly sure, to vindicate His covenant people (Isaiah 26:13-14; 29:5-7). For instance, the rebellious three — Korah, Dathan, and Abiram — were summarily buried alive with their entire households.
Now, the Lord’s “vengeance” must be understood in light of His full character, including His essence of justice. God would violate His own character if He overlooked wickedness, and didn’t bring it to justice: “They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish” (Jeremiah 10:15).
Yes, human beings always frown at the idea of God’s vengeance; even then, none that breaks the “hedge” can escape it, except by God’s grace and mercy (Deuteronomy 32:39-43). He’s the God of mercy, but mercy requires that there be justice. That’s the reason why Jesus Christ died to pay the price for our sins, to satisfy the demands of justice (John 3:16; Colossians 2:14; Romans 3:20-26).
Meanwhile, vengeance belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:35). Thus, the Bible prohibits the believers, under any guise or circumstance, from taking personal revenge upon their enemies (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:19). Rather, the power to execute vengeance has been divinely delegated to human governments on earth.
In conclusion, please keep in mind that divine visitation is connected to a sense of divine timing, and it draws heavily on divine promises. But, it’s provoked through supplication. Hence, God said, “Put me in remembrance: let us plead together …. that thou mayest be justified” (Isaiah 43:26).
It is your declaration of God’s promises in prayers that justifies you for His visitation. And, whenever God shows up, Satan automatically bows out. Why? Light and darkness don’t cohabit. God always shows up in the glories of His Shekinah Light — His natural habitat — and darkness in all its shades naturally disappear at His appearance!
Friends and brethren, I see God showing up in your address this season. He will visit you with land-mark miracles. He will bless and settle you, and you will have many reasons to testify. You won’t miss this, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
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Archbishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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