As the deer pants after water, so my soul pants after you, Lord! (Psalm 42:1)
Do you find yourself yearning for more? Does the thought of encountering the Holy excite you? These questions lunches into the depths of our spiritual longing and the pursuit of a closer connection with God. What exactly does it mean to desire more of God? Is it an indication of lacking Him, driven by greed, or is it a quest for deeper intimacy and fulfillment in His presence?
In our pursuit of God, it’s imperative to distinguish between superficial sensationalism and genuine, expectant encounters with the divine. Authentic spiritual growth is wrapped in the progressive knowledge and experience of God.
Scripture warns us against being swayed by mere external manifestations devoid of depth or lasting impact.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 reminds us: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.“
True encounters with God are not defined by flashy displays but by the transformative power of His Spirit working within us.
An expectant encounter with God is rooted in faith and grounded in His Word. Hebrews 11:6 teaches us: “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
It’s a longing to know God more intimately, to experience His presence daily, as articulated in Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
This encounter transcends emotions; it’s a deep, abiding relationship with our Creator. Our deepest desire as Christians should be to intimately know God. Philippians 3:10 expresses this longing: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” This hunger cannot be satisfied by superficial experiences but only by genuine encounters with the living God, as echoed in Psalm 63:1: “You, God, are my God; earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you; my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.“
Jesus said to Mary and Martha at the ressurection of their brother, didn’t I tell you that if you keep believing you will se the glory of God! Encountering God brings profound transformation. 2 Corinthians 3:18 illustrates this: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Through these encounters, we experience His peace, joy, and grace that sustain us through every trial, as described in Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Romans 5 says that the reason our hope is not put to shame is because of an experience – the love of God being poured or shed abroad in our hearts.
Seeking continual experiential knowledge of God leads to spiritual maturity. Colossians 1:10 urges us: “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” _ It’s a journey of discovery, where each encounter reveals new facets of His glory and deepens our understanding of His character.
Christianity is not solely about adherence to rituals and traditions but also about experiencing the living reality of God’s presence. While liturgical beliefs have their place, they must not overshadow the importance of personal encounters with God. Both Jesus and the early disciples experienced a balance of structured practices and intimate encounters with God.
The pinnacle of expectant encounter is exemplified in the life of Jesus and the events of Pentecost. At Jesus’ baptism, heaven opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father openly affirmed Him (Matthew 3:16–17). This marked the beginning of His public ministry, highlighting the profound connection between divine encounter and mission. Similarly, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, empowering them for ministry and elevating their relationship with God to a new level (Acts 2:1–4). This event marked the birth of the early church and exemplified the transformative power of encountering the living God.
The lack of spiritual fire often correlates with a lack of experiential knowledge of God. Just as Jesus’ baptism and the events of Pentecost were profound encounters that affirmed His identity and empowered His followers, so too can our encounters with God ignite a passionate zeal for Him.
Let us not be content with mere sensationalism but earnestly seek expectant encounters with God. May our hearts be stirred with a sincere longing to know Him more deeply, to experience His presence daily, and to walk in the fullness of His blessings. As we journey in faith, may our lives be a testimony to the transforming power of encountering the living God.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk