The Glory of the Lord Came Down.
Would it be all right if I just reminisced a little? As I was listening
to a song early today the presence of the Lord just seemed to engulf
me. It brought back memories of services I have been in some years ago.
Praise the Lord!
At times, when we met together, the glory of the Lord would “come down”
and fill the place. When it would happen we didn't know, it just
happened! Sometimes it happened during the singing, other times during
or after the preaching. Sometimes it would just get very quiet and
people all over the room would begin to weep softly and the altar would
fill up with praying saints. Sinners would be in the altar repenting and receiving Christ.
Other times different ones would go to someone and begin to pray for
one who was going through a storm in their life. Sometimes they would
go to one and offer an apology for something they had said or done. As
the Spirit of the Lord moved through the congregation something good
was taking place. The Spirit of the Lord was in control.
Many times it was a time of rejoicing. Saints would be shouting and
praising the Lord, out loud. Sinners couldn't stand it, they would
either get in the altar and repent or some would grip the back of the
pew so hard their hands turned white. They had to get in or out! I
know, I was one of them before I surrendered my life to the Lord.
Some of you, who are reading this, have no idea of what I am talking
about. You have never seen this and what you have heard was making fun
or light of this kind of worship.
In those days most preachers didn't have degrees in theology and a
degree in business management. They were men who were called of God to
evangelize or pastor. They learned on their face or knees before the
Lord. They wept for souls to be saved. They prayed for and received the
anointing of the Holy Ghost to minister. God honored them and gave the
increase. Degrees are great to have but if we depend more on them than
on the Holy Spirit we are in trouble.
I don't see much of this any more and I miss it. In our rush to get a
bigger and bigger crowd, have we stopped allowing the Lord to manifest
Himself in our midst? Are we depending more on our head knowledge than
we should? The Lord is the one who gives the increase and it is by His
Spirit.
Lord God, grant us Your presence
in our midst more than ever before. This generation needs to know You
in the fellowship of Your Spirit. We have tried using the world's
methods to get a crowd and get people to know You and it's not working.
Many come in but their lives are not changed. Grant us another out
pouring of Holy Spirit. We ask In the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
