Deep Calling Deep Page 37

In stillness, have you ever sat in the Holy Chamber we call the Sanctuary and felt that something other than your own emotions were present?  During times like these our hearts are doing something contrary to its normal physical function and it will press into the spiritual realm in order to feel and sense God.  It takes the ability to truly transcend earth’s distractions to spiritually draw open the veil that separates this world with the other -and momentarily step into the spiritual. 

During this time God’s holiness stirs us in a distinct way…and He draws close to us with an overwhelming feeling that is indescribable.    God may graciously pierce our hearts till our pain is released to get our attention.  Or, He may even allow our hearts to burst inside our chest so that everything we’ve held in confidence flows out through merciful tears.  This is the closest we get to our Lord and His compassion on this side of heaven—a brief moment of deep calling deep; the God of all the ages touching His creation!

 During this summit with our spiritual God we become overwhelmed and allow emotions to pour forth ….and then we pull ourselves back together knowing we’ve just  glimpsed the presence of Almighty God.  My question on behalf of all humanity is this:  “Why the brevity, Lord?”  This spiritual encounter with God’s presence is too brief a time to spend in the midst of holiness. There are so many times I need more than just a few moments of deep peace and reconciliation.   It’s as if heaven’s doors had opened to pour forth graciousness and love and then….it’s politely closed again. 

I pondered why the Lord conceals Himself from us?  Wouldn’t it be easier to just let us see Him!  But, instead, we’re left within the realm of earth’s constraints and the spiritual side of things remains a mystery.  He knows we struggle with evil, pain and loss and that the earth and its inhabitants are in great need ….yet there is silence.  We studied this in another blog writing….but scripture says that there such a thing as Holy Silence. 

“The Lord is in His holy Temple
Let the earth be silent before Him.”
Habakkuk 2:20

Still my question persists:  Why the barrier between this physical world and the spiritual realm?  My only answer is that the saga of this age must be played out as written.  We actually have authentic prophesy in Revelations that lets us know that, indeed, there will be a final curtain call and a showdown more spectacular than  anything the earth has ever seen….and when all is said and done this earth will be no more.  I mean, don’t you find that world news is, at this very moment, setting the stage?   It’s obvious that humanity has its part to play.  The premise, via scripture and world politics, indicates that evil will not give up its domain too easily.  World History has already documented that evil requires a great deal of drama to conquer.  Scripture prophetically confirms and concludes this in the Book of Revelations!  It seems that it will take the demise of the earth and the end of the age for man to admit there is a God!

Alas and along these lines, I read a great analogy and it goes something like this:  Just as Shakespeare is not a character in his own play ….neither is God a visible character within the daily lives of humanity.  He is our author and creator but He is not visible because He operates from a different realm.  We must trust the author and finisher of our faith and what is written in our holy text… then in conclusion believe that God exists.  The narrative we must get over is the fact that we cannot see God from within our world- but with one huge exception; by intellectually admitting that creation had a creator.  We then go forth on faith and trust that our astute God will allow our world to spin on and our roles to play out as written- due to His expert authorship and ultimate dominion over Planet Earth!

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
 who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
 Hebrews 12: 1-2

Song Recommendation:

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
BY:  Chris Tomlin