A GOD THAT HIDES HIMSELF -- Tomorrow:
"Truly, Thou art a God Who hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior" -- Isaiah 45:15
WALK WHILE YOU HAVE THE LIGHT
In the wisdom of God, men are provided windows of opportunity when they can draw near to God, avail themselves of His great salvation, and gain the victory over the wicked one. For Jerusalem, the ministry of Jesus in the flesh was such an opportunity. Jesus referred to this as "the time of your visitation" (Lk 19:44). Because Jerusalem did not avail themselves of this Divinely orchestrated opportunity, Jesus declared, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of YOUR VISITATION" (Lk 19:42-44).
That "visitation" was a time when men had "the Light," and could "believe in the Light." It was a time when men could "be the children of the Light." During that time men could advance toward the Lord, gain the advantages of His grace, and experience deliverance from the power of darkness. Such glorious times cannot be called down from heaven by men. They cannot be turned on at will, or made available at the whims of men. That is precisely why men must "believe in the Light" while they have it. Do not take the "Light" of God for granted!
Following Christ's admonition to "believe in the light" while it was available, a most significant thing occurred. "These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did HIDE HIMSELF FROM THEM" (John 12:36). Who is the person who imagines he can discover Jesus when He hides from them? Or is there some soul who thinks Jesus no longer does such a thing? If so, let your own experience attest to you that such a notion is pure imagination
There are still times when Jesus "departs" and "hides Himself" from those who think so little of Him they do not take advantage of His Presence. Those who do not avail themselves of His presence will soon find it impossible to find Him. They will also realize firsthand the poverty of worldly wisdom. This is a solemn warning indeed, to which we all do well to take heed.
If Jesus exhorted men to believe while they had the light, it should be clear that there is a time when light can be withdrawn. That "light" is God revealing Himself. It is Divinely intentional, and must not be despised. In this text, the revelation reached its apex in the Person of Christ. He was "the Light of the world" (John 8:12). In Him God is revealed to the fullest measure. The "fulness of the Godhead" is found in Christ Jesus (Col 1:19; 2:9). There is no possible way the world could have discerned on its own what has been revealed in Christ Jesus the Lord! Apart from Him, God is hidden. Make no mistake about that! Therefore, during this glorious day of salvation, when the Savior is near, "believe in the light," lest it be withdrawn. When your heart is sensitive to the Lord Jesus, do something about it, and do not delay.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me a sensitive and resolute heart, lest I ignore the presence and blessing of Your Son.
-- Thursday, New Series: ABBA FATHER --