PROVOKING A DIVINE VISITATION

TITLE: PROVOKING A DIVINE VISITATION

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Genesis 18:1-5
Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 1:9-11, Acts 2:1-4, Exodus 3:1-4

INTRODUCTION:
A divine visitation is when God manifests His presence in a supernatural way to bless, deliver, or fulfil His promises. Throughout Scripture, we see how God visited individuals, families, and even nations, bringing transformation and breakthroughs. However, divine visitations can be provoked through intentional actions such as prayer, faith, obedience, and sacrifice. This sermon explores how we can provoke a divine visitation in our lives.

1. UNDERSTANDING A DIVINE VISITATION

a) Manifestation of God's presence
A divine visitation is a tangible experience of God's presence, where His glory is revealed (Exodus 33:18-19).

b) Supernatural intervention in human affairs
It is when God steps into a situation to change the course of events in favour of His people.

c) Fulfillment of God's promises
When God visits, it often marks the fulfilment of a long-awaited promise (Genesis 21:1-2).

d) God's judgment and deliverance
Divine visitations can bring both deliverance for the righteous and judgment for the wicked (Genesis 19:13).

Biblical Example: God visited Abraham in Genesis 18, bringing the promise of Isaac's birth.

2. KEYS TO PROVOKING A DIVINE VISITATION

a) Hunger for God's presence
Divine visitations often happen where there is a deep hunger for God's presence. Abraham’s hospitality in Genesis 18 showed his desire for God.

b) Persistent prayer
Those who provoke divine visitations are often people of prayer. Hannah prayed persistently until God visited her with the gift of a son (1 Samuel 1:12-20).

c) Faith in God's promises
Faith attracts divine visitations. Those who believe without wavering in God's promises will experience His visitation (Hebrews 11:6).

d) Obedience to God's instructions
Obedience opens the door for divine encounters. Moses obeyed God’s call and encountered Him at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4).

Biblical Example: The believers in Acts 2:1-4 provoked a divine visitation through unity and fervent prayer, resulting in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

3. SIGNS THAT GOD IS ABOUT TO VISIT YOU

a) Increased spiritual activity
When you notice heightened spiritual sensitivity and activity, it often indicates that a visitation is near.

b) Restlessness in your spirit
When God is about to visit, there is often a stirring in your spirit, creating an urgency for prayer and consecration.

c) Unusual challenges or tests
Just before a visitation, there may be intense challenges that serve as a precursor to God's breakthrough (Exodus 5:22-6:1).

d) Godly counsel or prophecy
Divine visitations are sometimes preceded by a prophetic word or divine counsel that prepares you for what God is about to do.

Biblical Example: Before God visited the Israelites in Egypt, they faced increased oppression, but God sent Moses to announce their deliverance (Exodus 3:7-10).

4. THE IMPACT OF A DIVINE VISITATION

a) Supernatural breakthrough
When God visits, long-standing problems are resolved, and breakthroughs occur (Genesis 21:1-7).

b) Healing and deliverance
Divine visitations bring healing, deliverance, and restoration, both physically and spiritually (John 5:1-9).

c) Fulfillment of promises
God's visitation results in the fulfilment of promises that have been delayed or hindered (Luke 1:67-80).

d) Divine favour and blessing
God’s visitation often releases uncommon favour and blessings upon individuals and nations (Ruth 1:6).

Biblical Example: When Jesus visited Zacchaeus' house, salvation, transformation, and favour followed (Luke 19:1-10).

5. MAINTAINING DIVINE VISITATIONS

a) Continual prayer and worship
To sustain God's presence, there must be a lifestyle of prayer and worship. Regular fellowship with God keeps the atmosphere of visitation.

b) Obedience and faithfulness
Continued obedience to God's Word ensures that His visitation is not short-lived.

c) Walking in holiness and consecration
Divine visitations are sustained in an environment of holiness. We must live in a way that pleases God (Leviticus 11:44).

d) Gratitude and testimony
Sharing testimonies and being grateful for God’s visitation encourages others and keeps the door open for future encounters.

Biblical Example: After the Pentecost experience in Acts 2, the early church continued steadfastly in prayer, fellowship, and the apostles' teaching, sustaining the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42).

CONCLUSION:
Provoking a divine visitation requires intentionality. When we hunger for God, seek Him in prayer, walk in faith and obedience, we create an atmosphere for His presence to invade our lives. Just like Abraham, Moses, and the early church, we too can experience a divine visitation that will transform our lives and bring God’s promises to fulfilment. Be expectant, for God desires to visit you!

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, create in me a deep hunger for Your presence.

2. Father, let my prayers provoke a divine visitation in my life.

3. Lord, open my eyes to see when You are about to visit me.

4. Father, let every obstacle standing in the way of Your visitation be removed.

5. Lord, visit me and my family with divine favour and breakthrough.

6. Father, release Your supernatural power into every area of my life.

7. Lord, visit Your church with a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit.

8. Father, help me to walk in obedience and faith to provoke Your visitation.

9. Lord, may I never miss the time of my divine visitation.

10. Father, as You visit me, bring to fulfilment every promise concerning my life.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. God’s divine visitation is coming to your household.

2. Every delayed promise will be fulfilled as God visits you.

3. You will experience supernatural breakthroughs in every area of your life.

4. The Lord will visit you with healing, deliverance, and restoration.

5. Divine favour is being released upon you right now.

6. The presence of God will dwell continually in your home.

7. As God visits, every closed door will be opened for you.

8. Your time of divine visitation will not pass you by.

9. You will testify of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

10. The Lord will visit you in such a way that you will never remain the same again.