Skip to main content

Touched by God

In a famous picture painted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel in Rome there is a depiction of God reaching out His finger to touch the reclining form of Adam. The first man also holds his hand outstretched towards God. It is a famous picture and for many it is a powerful representation of God's creative and connecting power with humanity. The picture is quite dramatic, but does God always touch us in this fashion.

In describing the power of God's touch Jesus says "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 This is a more subtle representation of God's touch. But it is no less powerful. In fact the creative power demonstrated by God's restorative power in reclaiming the life of the soul is just as much a testimony to his omnipotence. But it is perhaps this method of interaction that speaks more to God's desire to love each member of his creation.

The true touch of God will not leave a life unchanged. Just as the finger of God in Michelangelo's painting gave physical life to Adam, so too the touch of the Holy Spirit gives life to the souls of Adam's descendants. Perhaps the next time we seek God's touch we can be open to the touch of the heart that He so longs to provide.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Who is Melchizedek?

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in the Bible. He appears abruptly with great importance and yet his identity seems unclear. Let's see what we can discover. In Hebrews 7:1-3 it says: 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,  2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”  3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. Hebrews 7:1-3 With this text in mind let’s look at some of the characteristics of Melchizedek. 1. He was the King of Salem. Salem means peace. He was the King of Peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. It says: For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And H...

Not “If" But “When”

Today I would like to look at an interesting study on Deuteronomy 4:29. Let’s begin with the text which reads: But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV There is an “If” in this passage that gives me pause. It seems to imply that the search for God is primarily initiated by our own desires. However I believe there is more to this thought from Moses. I am greatly indebted to the following YouTube Channel  watch  for the initial direction of this blog. Please check out the channel’s video for an in depth study of the passage.  Now returning to our study it is important to note that while the “If” is present in Deuteronomy 4:29 it is not in the parallel passage of Jeremiah 29:13 which says: 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV Both contexts are the same. Both are talking about what would happen to the Is...

The Truth for This Time

Today I would like to talk to you about a topic that should be familiar to Seventh-day Adventists: the third angel’s message. Many of you know the importance of this message and so you may wonder why I would want to bring this topic before you again. Well notice what Ellen White has to say about the Third Angel’s Message. She says: The third angel’s message is the great sanctifying as well as the testing truth. 25 LtMs, Ms 60, 1911, par. 1. And in another place: When the third angel’s message shall go forth with a loud voice [and] the whole earth shall be lightened with His glory, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon His people. 14LtMs, Lt 96a, 1899, par7. And finally she says: The third angel's message is the gospel message for these last days, and in no case is it to be overshadowed by other interests and made to appear an unessential consideration. Testimonies, Volume 6, 241. Clearly the third angel’s message is incredibly important to God’s people at this time. As a result of thi...