The Moment Of Decision

Sunday, July 11, 2021
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Listen while you read: "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing"1 (Lyrics)

Luke 19:41-44 – But as [Jesus] came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. "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. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you. (NLT)

After attending Bible college, I went to Malawi in the summer of 1986 on a short-term mission trip. I stayed with a missionary couple in the city of Blantyre and experienced their Christian ministry in that country. One day, the missionary families and visiting students gathered to witness a procession passing through the streets of Blantyre. President Kamuzu Banda, seated in the back of an open luxury car, passed by, smiling and waving to the cheering and clapping crowds, holding his chief's staff made of wood and an animal tail. As the car moved on, I felt privileged to have seen the head of state, but would I have turned and followed his government? Not likely!

I think that many of the people of Jerusalem long ago may have felt the same way when they witnessed Jesus' triumphal entry into the city. The procession was led by the disciples, rejoicing and praising God, but the religious leaders certainly didn't acclaim Jesus as King, nor did the people of Jerusalem. It was a moment of decision, and their rejection of God's chosen One unfolded years later in the city's destruction, a day which Jesus foresaw and wept over.

This pivotal event was an echo of the unbelief in Moses' day, when the people refused to trust in God's promise of great things in the new land. Their moment of decision and rejection of God's plan resulted in forty more years of wandering in the desert.

Hebrews 3:7-11 – Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'" (NKJV)

There will be a moment of decision that will determine the course that our lives will take. What will our answer be? Will we reject Jesus in unbelief and cause Him to weep? When He makes His entry in our lives, will we take notice and choose Him as King, and follow? Or will we just cheer and clap our hands, then make our way home when the parade is over? I pray that when He comes near, you will sing out "Hosanna!" in your heart and follow King Jesus.

Prayer: Sing with me in the words of Dave Moody: "All hail King Jesus, all hail Emmanuel, King of kings, Lord of lords, Bright Morning Star! and throughout eternity, I'll sing Your praises, and I'll reign with You throughout eternity." Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen Shirley! Blessings.


    Thanks for the encouragement, Shirley.


    Thanks, Shirley for your inspirational devotion today.


    Grateful for this share of your hope and faith today, Shirley.


    Dear Shirley,
    Thank you for this interesting devotional call to accept Jesus as our King. Let’s all be ready!


    Thank you for this devotional Shirley.
    Praying people will make the right decision.
    God bless.


    Good reading today Shirley. The weeping over Jerusalem passage is a highly appropriate choice at a time such as we are experiencing now.
    Is Jesus now weeping over His church ? Thanks for posting.


    Good morning Shirley,
    Many thanks for another of your very mindful devotionals. You have expressed very well that we need wholeheartedly follow the path led by our Lord Jesus. His way leads us to a joyous destiny. Hosanna in the highest! Blessings for your writings.


    Very apt, on this “cheering” weekend of the World Cup Soccer Final, the Men’s Final at Wimbledon, and the continuing gruelling slog on the Tour de France.
    Thanks for your meditation.
    Bless you for reminding me of the dangers of putting my trust anywhere, but in the Hands of God.
    (BC)


    Dear Shirley:
    It seems to me that your devotional points to the commandment Jesus came to Earth to tell and mentor us, “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
    To do that, we should use the power of the universe that responds to prayer to decide what to do next, as he explained in John 14:12.
    Thanks for letting Spirit speak through you!

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