Burdens

I woke this morning with a deep sense of need for my family, their need to know and love Jesus, to be aware of spiritual realities and the joy that only the Holy Spirit can give. Some of them have a small understanding, an intellectual awareness, yet they seem not to share in a full revelation, one that transforms their lives and glorifies Him.

I know that God can do this. Saul (who was renamed Paul) was as anti-Christian as a person can be, arresting and putting in prison all who followed Jesus Christ. He was an educated man of position and power, but one day God appeared to him and changed everything:

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. (Acts 9:10–19)

Tozer says and I agree that no matter our problems and flaws, there is no cure apart from an invasion of power from above. Only the Spirit can show us our need and only the Spirit can prescribe and apply the cure. Only the Spirit can reveal to us the majesty and heart transforming mystery of Almighty God.

My heart aches for those who do not see or understand the wonder of the Lord. They have not had a vision of Him, not been given the power to see divine things as God sees them. They need knowledge of the truth, a deeper realization that reveals His promises and enables them to believe and take hold of them.

This burden is calling me to prayer. I trust the Lord who can do all things and long to tell Him, to ask Him, to lay this at His feet.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You alone are able to touch the hearts of those who have been closed to You, who have not understood or considered their need for You or Your love for them. Make it real. Open their hearts like You opened the heart of Saul and changed his life, even his name. Enable them to know and glorify You.