Throughout Scripture God descends to human beings. Jesus’ incarnation is the ultimate divine descent, but God began descending to humans as far back as the garden of Eden.
After Adam and Eve sinned, “they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” and they hid (Gen. 3:8). They hid because they recognized the sound and they recognized the sound because they had heard it before. God had previously visited them.
Divine descent continues with God calling Abraham to leave his country then promising to bless him (Gen. 12:1-3). Later, God visited Joseph with dreams of greatness when he was young (Gen. 37).
In Exodus, Moses hears God’s voice at the the burning bush. Likewise, the Hebrew prophets receive visions and words from God.
While Jesus’ incarnation was the grand culmination of this pattern of divine descent, it wasn’t the end of it. After Jesus’ ascension, God continues to descend to his people through the giving of his Spirit (Acts 2, 4, 10, 19). There are even times when the Spirit is described as falling on people (Acts 10:44). Finally, we are eagerly waiting for Christ to descend a second time to bring salvation and the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21; Heb. 9:28).
What’s the point? Our relationship with God begins with God. We cannot move toward God without God first moving toward us. We cannot work ourselves up to God. God must first come down to us. As John said, “We love because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).
So how do we live a life of constant communion with God? It doesn’t start with us. If we get frustrated with ourselves because we keep failing to pray often or read the Bible frequently it will only lead to a cycle of despair. The spiritual life begins with God coming to us. Our minds need to be filled up with the thought of divine descent. Christ comes down to us and knocks on the door of our hearts. Christ comes to us. Christ visits us. That thought properly pondered will lead to a response of love and devotion enabling us to sail past the breakers of legalism.
In addition, the spiritual life not only begins with divine descent, it is also maintained with divine descent. We need frequent visitations from God to keep our spiritual lives fresh.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. My latest book focuses on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and what it means for today.
Very good and thought -provoking message, Les. Thinking of God’s love always leaves me so moved and grateful. Thanks for reminding us that God continually comes down to us when we look up to Him.
Beautiful thought, Les. The accuser tries hard to take away the peace & joy by pointing his finger at our short comings. No wonder our God is called Alpha & Omega.
It made me think of prayer as more important as we seek to pass on the gospel to others. He involves us to participate in His work. Our prayers are for God to descend on them. He starts the work in us to pass it on to others. At this time I have a list of names who need Him.
I pray I will understand His love and know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so we may be filled with His fullness. His love should motivate us to become servants.
Thank you for making me “ponder” this morning.