DIVINE VISITATION
The Lord Almighty is great and wonderful for giving us the grace in his infinite mercy to see the sixth month of 2024. To Him alone be glory, honor, and adoration in Jesus’ mighty name.
Luke 1:26-28 (NKJV) -26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Divine refers to anything connected to, comes from, or is a characteristic of God. Divine visitation, therefore, refers to God directly intervening in human life in noticeable ways; ways that exceed human capabilities and understanding.
From our text, in the sixth month of Elisabeth’s pregnancy, angel Gabriel was sent on another mission from God to the city of Nazareth to see a virgin named Mary. The angel’s visit to announce Jesus’ birth changed the destiny of Mary and the history of the world eternally. This season may the Lord visit you in a way you have never experienced before in Jesus’ name.
The Hebrew word for “visit” can have different meanings depending on context. Divine visitation often serves to deliver a message, test faith, or offer guidance. Sometimes it refers to punishment or judgment, while other times it signifies blessing or favor. Divine visitation can bring about testing or judgment.
Divine visitation can take many forms:
Physical Manifestation: This visitation involves the direct physical appearance of God to an individual. This can be a terrifying or awe-inspiring experience, like the one Moses encountered in Exodus 34:5-8 when Moses requested to see the glory of the Lord.
Angelic Messengers: The Lord may send angels to communicate with humans. There are many instances of angelic appearance to humans in the Bible. The “Angel of the LORD” appeared to Manoa’s wife and revealed that she would have a son. (Judges 13:4). Hagar, fleeing with her son Ishmael, encountered an angel by a spring in the desert. The angel promised God’s presence and future blessings for Ishmael (Genesis 16:7-14).
Signs and Wonders: Miraculous events or unexplainable phenomena can be interpreted as signs of divine visitation. Parting the Red Sea in Exodus 14 for the children of Israel to cross on dry ground was a classic example. The flood that destroyed the world during the time of Noah was a sign and wonder of the Lord (Genesis 7).
Dreams and Visions: Sometimes divine messages might be received through dreams or visions. This is a kind of divine visitation. Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:13). Jacob’s vision of the ladder in Genesis 28:12 is another typical example.
Inner Knowing: Sometimes, a strong feeling or a sense of guidance beyond one’s understanding can be a form of divine visitation. Gideon, a hesitant farmer, was visited by an angel who commissioned him to lead Israel against the Midianites. Though unsure, Gideon sought a sign from God through a fleece and dew (Judges 6:36-40). This inner confirmation, a feeling beyond logic, strengthened his resolve.
Nehemiah, distressed by the news of Jerusalem’s destruction, felt a deep compulsion to help rebuild the city (Nehemiah 1:11). This inner burden, a strong emotional pull, became his driving force.
The Bible offers a variety of examples of how Christians encountered divine visitation, with the effects varying depending on the individual and the purpose of the visitation.
- Confirmation and Calling: Visitations can solidify a person’s belief in God’s presence and purpose for their life. In Acts 9, Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus is a clear instance of divine visitation. Blinded by light and hearing Jesus’ voice, Paul received his calling to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. This visit completely changed the course of his life.
- Guidance and Discernment: God might use visitations to clarify difficult decisions or offer direction for the future. In Judges 6, Gideon wrestled with self-doubt regarding his calling to lead Israel. An angel visited him, but Gideon sought confirmation through fleece and dew (Judges 6:36-40). This visitation provides reassurance and helps Gideon move forward with faith.
- Comfort and Peace: In times of hardship, a visit can bring reassurance, hope, and inner peace. In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah felt discouraged and isolated. God appeared to him not in a mighty storm but in “a sound of gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). This visitation offered comfort and strengthened Elijah to continue his ministry.
- Blessings and restoration. God visited Sarah in her old age, promising her a son, Isaac (Genesis 21:1). In Ruth 1:6, the Lord “visits” his people by ending a famine in Judah.
Doing the following will help you to prepare for divine visitation:
Deepen Your Relationship with God:
- Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior (John 1:12)
- Prayer and Bible Study: Regular prayer and Bible study are foundational practices that strengthen your connection to God. Prayer allows you to express desires and listen for guidance, while scripture provides a framework for understanding God’s character and will.
- Praise and Worship: Participating in worship services and sacraments like communion can create a space for encountering God’s presence. Singing hymns, listening to sermons, and reflecting on scripture can open your heart to the divine.
- Living a Christ-like Life: Following Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and service to others is a way to align yourself with God’s will. This virtuous living can make you more receptive to God’s promptings.
- Be filled with the Holy Spirit: The New Testament emphasizes the ongoing presence of God through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). The Spirit can guide, convict, and empower believers.
Openness and Discernment:
- Be Receptive: Cultivate an open mind and heart. Pay attention to unusual dreams, feelings of peace or conviction, or seemingly coincidental events. These might be God’s way of guiding you.
- Discernment Through Prayer: Don’t mistake every feeling or thought for divine visitation. Pray and reflect on these experiences. Does it align with God’s character and teachings in the Bible? Seek guidance from trusted spiritual leaders if needed.
- Focus on the Journey: The goal isn’t necessarily a dramatic visitation, but a growing awareness of God’s presence in your daily life. Look for subtle ways God might be guiding you through circumstances and relationships.
Remember, the most important thing is to cultivate a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer, scripture, and living a Christ-like life.
PRAYERS
- Thank you, Father, for Your love and presence.
- Father, visit me in a new way, that my life may glorify your name.
- Lord, let your divine presence saturate every aspect of my life and bring about a transformation, let your visitation bring an end to every long-standing challenge in my life.
- Oh God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, visit my situation and turn my trials into testimonies.
- Heavenly Father, let every barrier preventing your visitation in my life be consumed by fire.
- Lord, in the areas where I’ve been forgotten, let your visitation rekindle hope and restoration.
- God of Mercy, visit my family and let your peace and unity reign in our midst.
- Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayers in your timing and plan in Jesus’ name.
Welcome to June, the month of divine visitation. As you grow closer to him, may you experience his presence in various ways, including subtle nudges, inner peace, and a stronger conviction in your faith journey in Jesus’ name.
Yours in the Lord,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup
