Walking With Giants

After Israel was supernaturally delivered from the bondage of Egypt by the mighty hand of God we see something very notable that took place at their departure.  "He (God) also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes." (Psalm 105:37) Not only did they leave Egypt with great wealth but their was not one person lacking in physical or mental strength and vigor. While Israel made their way through the wilderness, God not only led them, but provided for their every need. Finally, they reached the wilderness of Paran where the Lord instructed Moses to send out twelve spy's, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Numbers 12:16, 13:1-3) Upon the return of the twelve spy's we see that the report of ten was, "...we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants)..."(Numbers 13:33) These giants were giants in the physical sense. But God has raised up other giants. Men and women who were giant (so to speak) in the spirit. 

Looking back at the history of man in the Old Testament, we see the Lord revealing Himself supernaturally through frail, imperfect people. The earth walk of Jesus reveals God the Father's will again through the supernatural. The gospels reveal numerous miracles through Jesus that, like in the Old Testament, it was God the Father's way of revealing Himself. Also, during His earth ministry He gave this supernatural power to His Apostles as well as seventy other disciples. Finally, the earth ministry of Jesus ended, but it was not over. In the Book of Acts and on the Day of Pentecost the ministry of Jesus continues to be carried out in the church. We get to see some of these spiritual giants such as, the Apostles Peter and Paul as well as Stephen and Philip. We also see the supernatural power of God working through them. Men who were by no means perfect in the natural sense, but who were being perfected through their faith, love and desire to serve the Lord Savior, Jesus Christ. 

From the Day of Pentecost and continuing to present (until the return of Jesus), we find documented evidence of men and women who decided one day to believe the Scriptures rather than the doctrines of man and were used of God in the realm of the supernatural. These spiritual giants were no different than those in the early church. They also were frail and imperfect, but they also had an affinity for God above all else. Like their predecessors, they also lived with persecution, not just from the world, but unfortunately, from the religious within the church. Some finished their course well and others not so well. Yet the impact that they had globally, especially in the church still lives today. 

Church history reveals many of these giants of faith raised up by God to bring reformation and restoration to the church which also impacted the world. Shortly after the civil war, once again God raised up many of these giants of the faith. The impact they they brought is what we call revival. Millions gave themselves to the Lord. Countless numbers received miracles and some raised from the dead, just like the ministry of Jesus and the early church and yet they were greatly criticized by the faithless religious. Some of these giants are, John Alexander Dowie, Marie Woodworth-Etter, Evan Roberts, Charles F. Parham, John G. Lake, William J. Seymour, Smith Wigglesworth and Aimee Semple McPherson.  

The Lord used these believers and others to usher in one of the greatest moves of the Holy Spirit since the Day of Pentecost. In fact, this move of God was named the Pentecostal movement. It was a reflection of the daily activities of the early church with the glory, presence and power of God manifesting, which brought much of the church, in a sense, back to its beginnings. Unfortunately, ignorance, unbelief and complacency has once again crept back into the church to where the supernatural works of God are once again downplayed, despised and rejected by another generation of the religious in the church. But the good news is, the supernatural has not left the church. The Apostle Peter tells us, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:19-21)   

The times of refreshing and restoration will come to the church before the Master returns. He is coming back for a church filled with faith, fully dedicated to Him. A church that is sanctified and cleansed by His Word (not mans doctrine). A glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but a church that is holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-28) So let us repent from our lack of faith and be like John the Baptist and prepare the way of the Lord.