The Touch Of God

1 Samuel 10:26

Saul also went to his house at Gibeah;
and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.

Reading these words has moved me to pray for a new touch from God. What a wonderful thing to be touched in the heart by God! There is nothing unusual about the Hebrew word here: it is simply “touch” in the ordinary sense. God touched their hearts.

The touch of God on one’s heart is an awesome thing. It is awesome because the heart is so precious to us—so deep and intimate and personal. When the heart is touched, we are deeply touched. Someone has gotten through protective layers to the centre. We have been known. We have been uncovered and seen.

The touch of God is an awesome thing because God is God. Just think of what is being said here! God touched them. Not a wife. Not a child. Not a parent. Not a preacher. Not a counselor. But God. The One with infinite power in the universe. The One with infinite authority, infinite wisdom, infinite love, infinite goodness, infinite purity, and infinite justice. That One touched their hearts.

The touch of God is awesome because it is a touch. It is a real connection. That it involves the heart is awesome. That it involves God is awesome. That it involves an actual touch is awesome. The valiant men were not just spoken to. They were not just swayed by a divine influence. They were not just seen and known from outside. God, with infinite condescension, touched their hearts. God was that close. And they were not consumed.

I love that touch. I want it more and more. Just recently when I was sitting sipping hot latte at Starbucks in KL I experienced the touched of God just reading His Word afresh. I want it for myself and for all of my people. I pray that God would touch me and all his church in a new, deep way for his glory. I pray this chuch camp we will all expereince the touch of God.

The text says that they were valiant men—“the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.” The Hebrew word carries strength and courage and substance. It must the touch of God that made them so valiant, so strong and courageous.

Pray with me for that touch, won't you? If it comes with fire, so be it. If it comes with water, so be it. If it comes with wind, let it come, O God. If it comes with thunder and lightning, let us bow before it. O Lord, come. Come close enough to touch. Pass through all the way to the heart, and touch. Burn and soak and blow and crash. Or, in a still, small voice. Whatever the means, come. Come all the way and touch our hearts, Lord!