Do Not Regret
Several years ago, as a young man, I was in a healing service. The evangelist had us stand and she began calling out several Words of Knowledge. After naming a few diseases or conditions, she said that the Lord is healing someone with flat feet. That is a condition I knew I had but I was not thinking about it at the time.
Suddenly I felt two hands go INSIDE the calf of my legs. The hands entered both legs at the same time. They then wrapped around tendons or muscles as if to get a good grip. This is real embarrassing but I do not know what they intended to do next. I did not find out. Though I did not intend to be afraid, I was so startled that I freaked out. I don't know how to say it, but I went totally berserk because I was so startled by the strangeness of it all. No, I did not get healed. The “procedure”, whatever it was going to be, was instantly canceled. Fear, though it might be normal, does not help the working of God.
Perhaps you have heard of the experience of evangelist D.L. Moody.
one day, in the city of New York—oh, what a day!—I cannot describe it, I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to name.... I can only say that God revealed himself to me, and I had such an experience of his love that I had to ask him to stay his hand. (W. R. Moody, The Life of D. L. Moody, New York: 1900, p. 149)
From that holy moment on, there was a unique power in Mr. Moody's life and ministry. This short account is often referred to, in order to urge people to seek the power of God. This really is the key to effectiveness and power in Christian service. There is one little problem that may escape notice yet it is very important.
As a young man I experienced a season of unusual hunger for the things of God. This actually was beyond the ability of a person to produce by themselves. God was drawing me into an unexpected situation. One day, the answer came. I was driving my car when the Holy Spirit came upon me. It is impossible to describe so please forgive me if I do not even try. I was startled and frightened. I remembered the story of Moody that I just described to you. I yelled, “STOP!” God did so. So completely, in fact, that I thought , “Stop what?” The strange experience was totally gone. However, my life and thoughts were so different from that moment on, yet I regretted telling God to stop whatever it was He was going to do.
I have heard other testimonies about people being startled by the presence of God coming suddenly in great manifestation. In every case, they have regretted asking God to stop the intensity of His Spirit. Apparently, D.L. Moody's story has been in the back of the minds of many people.
I would plead with you. If you ever are granted such a visitation of power, please do not ask God to stop. Let the Presence kill you. Let the weight of God's glory go ahead and crush you to death if that is what it is going to result in. Actually, you cannot be harmed in His presence. Do not live with regret and sorrow for canceling such an important event. Do not let the suddenness of the work of God cause you to fear in a wrong way.
Have Your way, Lord.
Apr. 21. 2023