He touched me, Oh, He touched me. And oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened, and now I know He touched me, and made me whole (Bill Gaither -1963)
The above song is a gospel favourite that has blessed the lives of countless people through the years. One touch from the Lord can change everything!
We are living in a world that places daily demands on our time, our work, our families and physical strength. The result is often weariness, burnout and a sense of hopelessness. This is one of Satan’s most potent weapons in his desire to wear out the saints of the most high God (Daniel 7:25). This tactic must be discerned and countered. So how can we position ourselves to receive that life changing touch from God?
Wait on the Lord!
First, we must understand that we do not have the strength in and of ourselves. We labour and strive to do our best only to discover our strength is limited. It is here where we need to position ourselves to receive that touch, that anointing from the Lord that will renew our strength and bring us to a higher place in God.
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Waiting on the Lord can take the form of a devotional life consisting of daily Bible reading and prayer. Is this a priority in your life? How about making time to take a walk in a park or secluded area where you have opportunity to commune with God? There are many different ways in which we can position ourselves to hear from God while receiving His touch and anointing.
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:4)
Rest in the Lord
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Another way we can position ourselves to experience the touch of God is to accept his invitation to approach Him. Coming into this level of Rest is not as easy as we sometimes make it. Consider the following statement from the writer to the Hebrews:
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:11, KJV)
There are many hindrances that can get in our way of approaching the Lord. Our focus is easily steered towards our handphones, internet and other worldly enticements. The Lord gives us the invitation to approach Him but perhaps we put it off to later in the day, tomorrow or when we can conveniently squeeze Jesus into our calendar.
This requires a discipline on our part to make space for God. Instead of giving in to weariness and burnout, we can be honest about our struggle and inability to continue the journey on our own. It is here where we can press in to receive the Lord’s touch in being revived, refreshed and renewed in strength. Remember how the Apostle Paul summarised his achievements for God?
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
If any man could boast of accomplishments, it would be Paul. It was the Lord’s touch (His Grace) that enabled Paul to fulfil his course in life (2 Timothy 4:7). The same is true for you and me.
Reach out and Touch Him
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” (Matthew 9:20-21)
The woman with the issue of blood was desperate and would not let anything or anyone get in the way of her touching the Lord. She recognised by faith that she could be healed if she could press through the crowd and touch His garment. She had to touch Jesus by faith before she received her touch of healing. This woman was not passive, she was focused and determined. Many others touched Jesus, but she touched Him by faith.
The Lord desires to touch His people afresh, however the above accounts makes clear that there is a positioning required on our parts. Let Him touch you!
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: 2 Corinthians 1:21
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
Tuesday: 1 Kings 19:7
And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
Wednesday: Matthew 9:29
Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”
Thursday: Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Friday: Psalm 23:2-3
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Saturday: Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Sunday: Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV), unless otherwise stated.
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
