In Joshua 6 we see the wall of Jericho come down.
Although God could have just destroyed Jericho immediately, He instead took a week to have the people of Israel march around the city. There are many reasons that could be considered for this, but one thing that spoke to me was how the grace of God is seen through the time that God gave the people of Jericho to repent — to recognize the true God and yield to Him. Rahab was an example of how God would have mercy in such a case. Another example is the people of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonah. And 2 Peter 3:9 shows us this same heart of God in longing to see people come to repentance.
God is even today giving people time to recognize Him for who He is and come to a place of repentance — turning to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As those who know Him, what are we doing with the time? Let’s ask the Lord to help us by His Spirit to be sensitive to the opportunities that come our way to proclaim Christ to a lost world, and to make the most of those opportunities.
2 responses so far ↓
Jim N // June 2, 2009 at 7:45 am |
What am I/are we doing to redeem the time the Lord has given us to fulfill our purposes, for which the Lord has called us by name, and placed His spirit within our hearts? Many, just like me have been deceived into thinking that by simply going to church on Wednesday and Sunday’s is more than enough to satisfy our upward calling. If that were true, you and I would be right with the program. Granted, most of us have families to look after and many things to do concerning that area of our lives, but how much do we involve ourselves with that has nothing whatsoever to do with the Kingdom of God?
God wants to give to us all of Himself -but before that can happen, we have to give (die), to all of ourselves. We need to repent of the self-serving hearts, that we have hearts that pour forth the love of God. Then the streams of living water may pour forth.
When I look back at the day to consider what I did for God and what I did for myself, I’m most of the time alarmed by what I did for me, myself, and I (the unholy trnity), but not much time doing anything for the Lord. Oh, I might squeeze in a prayer or two, read a devotional, go to a home fellowship sometimes. This is all good, but I have to ask myself, is it drawing me closer to the one who wants all of me? And is it spurring me on to become more involved in the Lord’s business of wining lost souls for His kingdom?
When it comes right down to it I’m very convicted by myshallow walk with the Lord, not to mention disappointed, because I’ve been told by God there is so much more for me that I cannot begin to comprehend it. That is what I want. How about you?
Bill // June 2, 2009 at 12:10 pm |
Amen Jim. May God fill us with a passion for HIM!