"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but…you
did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Lk. 19:42-44, NIV)
Strange, isn't it? Jerusalem suffered much loss because one day, just one day, they missed an opportunity for peace. I don't know if it was the day taxes were due, or a day that elections were held day but I do know they didn't recognize the day that God reached out to them in a special way. Talk about bad days...
I believe that timing is vastly important in the Kingdom of God; we need to, in the midst of all our strategic planning, remain very sensitive in allowing God to work in every aspect of our lives. I recall speaking to one pastor about revival in his church. "Well, he said slowly, "We can't have revival in the summer months because so many people go on vacation. We can't have revival in the fall because we have some farmers in our church and they harvest then. We can't have revival in December because of the Christmas confusion and January is hard on finances. May never works because of school graduations..." Needless to say, this pastor had a dwindling and depressed church; even God wasn't allowed opportunity there 8 months a year. Thinking like this is perhaps what happened in our text: when God chose to work Jerusalem was not ready.
At another time Jesus lamented similarly, "Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate... (Lk. 13:34-35, kjv) What a penalty; desolation is the result of that city not knowing the time of their spiritual opportunity!
I recall one pastor having said, "We can become so occupied with the work of the Lord that we forget the Lord of the work!" Very true - and this makes me want to stop and ask God, "Is there something that you want to do in my life, Lord? Anything that I may have prevented you from doing by being distracted or otherwise concerned?"
I want to be ready always for the God's approach in my life!
You may discover more about evangelist Jonathan Milam at www.JonathanMilam.com or https://twitter.com/JMinTX
