When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
St. Luke 19:41-44 (NAS)
Sometime ago, my son bought six calves to “feed out” and resell, hopefully, for a profit. They weren’t exactly tame when he bought them, but one little, black pirate was positively wild. He spooked and jumped through fences at the slightest movement in his direction. For several weeks, the calves grazed in Jonathan’s pasture, daily supplemented with a mixed, natural feed. Yet, they were still wary of people and stubbornly ran the other direction when approached, even at feeding time. Seemingly, they refused to trust.
At times, our behavior toward God isn’t all that different from Pirate and his cohorts. Absolutely not, you and I are not bovine creatures! Consider this query, however, from and unknown author, “How many times have we missed seeing God when he comes to us in a plain, everyday face?” Jesus wept over his people because they didn’t recognize him when he came for a visit. They didn’t realize that he brought peace to them. How many times have we stubbornly insisted on our way and failed to have peace? Note the Lord’s words to Israel via Jerusalem: “the things which make for peace have been hidden from your eyes.” In our lives, what has blinded us to the peace of God? Denying his discipline and rejecting his direction allows the enemy of our soul to gain victory over us. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Mt. 11:28 (KJV)
Dear Father, thank you for your visit to our world. Enable us to recognize your presence in our lives. Empower us to humbly submit to your guidance and discipline. Deliver us from the evil one. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in the presence of the Lord,