Good morning,
None
of us like the idea that there comes a time when no matter what we
think, it’s to late to make a change. I am sure that Noah’s neighbors
had no idea that when God closed the door to Noah’s crazy zoo, it was
too late for them to stop laughing at him and try to climb aboard. The
people of Israel and Judah had no idea that the crazy guys who called
themselves prophets of the living God were really right when they told
the people that God was done with forgiveness and had commanded disaster
for their countries and their families. It was the same story when
Jesus stopped his donkey at the top of the hill outside Jerusalem and,
in the middle of all the shouting and excitement, started to cry. Jesus
told them of the impending disaster and ended his prophecy by declaring
“Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did
not accept your opportunity for salvation.” Less then thirty years
later what had been an awesome temple and a beautiful city was just a
heap of ruins.
That was all ancient history, but our present
generation is facing a time that is very much like what Noah and his
family faced when they were building that big funny boat. Open
wickedness and culturally supported rebellion against the God of
creation were part of what people called normal in their day. Is there
any difference in what we are facing today? Noah preached and worked in
obedience to the God of Creation, but no one really took what he said
seriously. Is there any difference in what we are facing today? Never
before has the modern world lived with such confusion and instability,
yet our world leaders keep talking about world peace being a reachable
goal. The preaching and teaching about the truth found in the Bible has
never before been so widespread, yet the actual willingness for our
generation “to accept our opportunity for salvation” is mainly connected
to our religious connections and not to a living relationship with a
living Savior. It’s true that not everyone is doomed, as was true in
Jesus day, but we need to think carefully about what Jesus told his
disciples before he left. “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned
us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can
work.” (John 9:4) Please Lord, help us to be found working when the
night comes.
Luke 19:41 But as they came closer to
Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish
today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now
it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.
Roy Wisner
