The Touch of God, part 48

Warriors Arise: August 31, 2021

John 9:13-17 (NKJV) They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

I totally agree with the "others." How can a man who is a sinner do such signs? God can use anyone and sometimes He does use the sinner, the prodigal, the wayward to bring about His will. When Jonah ran from God's assignment, he did not have a righteous, compassionate heart toward the Ninevites. He did not want to go. But God spared his life when he told the captain to throw him overboard. God sent a big fish to swallow him and there Jonah remained for 3 days and 3 nights BEFORE he prayed. He wanted to die. He would rather die than repent and do what God told him to do. I picture him having fire in his eyes and spewing out God's judgement upon them, because of their response.

Jonah 3:4-5 (NKJV) And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Jonah only walked through the city three days. He didn't hold revivals. He didn't share the love of God. He was angry, he smelled like fish food, and the heat in the air seemed to match the heat in his heart.

Jonah 3:10 - 4:3 (NKJV) Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

God used a man who was drenched in judgement to bring about a revival for the entire city in three days! That is pretty wondrous! Could you see your entire city no matter how big or small turning to God in three days? And Nineveh was not a small city. Scripture tells us it was an exceedingly great city. Could you see everyone fasting and positioning themselves before God? Everyone, within three days? Even in the small rural community we are near, I still believe it would be a wondrous move of God for everyone to repent and turn to God.

Yes, I do believe God can use someone who is a sinner, who is in sin to bring about a wondrous move of God. However, Jesus was not a sinner nor was He in sin when He touched the blind man with the paste of clay and spit. Jesus anointed the man and spoke the command that would bring about his healing. The man received and obeyed; therefore, he was healed.

Father, I would prefer to be like Jesus and release the wondrous acts of Your love to bring freedom to the lives of all people. I do not want to be one who is angered by your mercy and compassion toward others. Oddly, that would make me one who would need your mercy and compassion. I pray I would be able to recognize Your wondrous acts and be praising You for what You have done. I pray my heart would be for the release of Your compassion, restoration and redemption of Your people. I ask for You to come and put a stop to this new COVID. I ask for honor to be given; the freedom of choice to be allowed. I pray for each one to be given the right to make their own decision whether they want the shot or not. I pray You would enhance the immune systems in our bodies that we would resist the virus. I pray You would purify the vaccine. I pray for all who have the vaccine to overcome the virus and have no repercussions. I pray for those who are being forced to take the vaccine to keep their jobs to have no ill effects. I pray for the men and women in our military and civilians who have lost their lives because of the way we were told to leave Afghanistan. I ask for You to minster to each family member who has lost someone in Afghanistan. I ask for You to help the people flee from the destruction of hurricane Ida. I pray You would lead them out of harm's way and that they would follow You to safety in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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