VISITATIONS OF JOY

“And you will have JOY and GLADNESS, and many will rejoice at his birth” – Luke 1:14

One vital key into the Fullness of Joy and Strength is the VISITATION of JOY: “And you will have JOY and GLADNESS, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Lk.1:14). When God stepped into the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth, Joy filled their abode, barrenness bowed, and a son of destiny – John – was born! Visits to a person or group of people can be causal, ordinary, occasional, special or divine, depending on the identity of the visitor and purpose of the visit. Visitations usually involve the exchange of pleasantries, ideas, vital information or gifts. People generally desire a special visitation by someone of a far higher social, political or financial status, because such august visitors could them with gifts, quality ideas, information or blessings commensurate to their status. Presidents give presidential pardons, handshakes and honours, while kings and royals offer royal appointments, gifts and blessings. Beyond these, divine visitation is an unusually privilege that God doles out to show special love, uncommon grace and high favour.

Divine Visitations are always Visitations of Joy, because in the Presence of God that is fullness of Joy (Psa.16:11). Divine visitations can be spiritual, symbolic or literal. God can send His servants or His angels to visit His people; He can send joy-laden news or in unique cases, visit a person or a group of people by Himself! Divine Visitations bring joy to those in need, especially the vulnerable, such as the fatherless and widows: “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation” (Psa.68:5). That’s why pure and undefiled religion is “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (Jam.1:27). The sick and bereaved are also encouraged and strengthened through God’s visitation. On an occasion, a sorrowful widow encountered the Visitation of Joy as the Lord of Life terminated the procession of death at the gate of Nain, and her only son was restored to life (Lk. 7:11-16). “Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “…God has VISITED His people” (v.16).                              

Divine visitation is greatly rewarding and therefore highly desired. Zacchaeus encountered divine visitation and was transformed eternally: “And Jesus said to him, “TODAY SALVATION has come to this house…” (Lk.19:9a). Whenever God steps into a situation, natural laws are suspended, and supernatural laws come into operation. A classic example: “Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the valley of Aijalon” (Jos.10:12). Israel was in the middle of a battle with the Amorites when Joshua suddenly recognised the Presence of God. The Lord of hosts Himself decided to pay the armies of Israel a visit. Knowing that such a divine visitation had opened up the realm of the supernatural, Joshua immediately seized the opportunity by asking for the impossible. May the same Presence of the Lord launch us into the realm of the supernatural today in Jesus’ Name.

Divine visitation brings immediate fulfilment of long standing prophecies, as it happened to Sarah: “And the LORD VISITED Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken” (Gen.21:1). Job testified that in his affliction, with his body terribly broken and battered, it was divine visitation that preserved his spirit: “You have granted me life and favour, and Your care has preserved my spirit” (Job 10:12). God’s visitation turns away captivity: “for the LORD their God will intervene for them, and return their captives” (Zeph.2:7). By His visitation, the Lord our God shall intervene for us on every matter of life and destiny, to ensure total liberty from captivity.

Every time God's manifest Presence is with His people, we are ushered into the realm of the supernatural and His atmosphere of miracles, wherein all challenges give way, and all trials turn to testimonies. Beloved, if you believe, this is your Season of Divine Visitation! Tap into the Visitations of Joy TODAY!