From Visitation to HabitationMay 6, 2008There had not been a prophet in Israel for more than 400 years. Now,
in the spirit and power of Elijah, John the Baptist stood in the
Judean wilderness. Lightning flashed from his eyes as his message
thundered across the terrain of human souls before him. The storm of
God had returned!Historians tell us that John's penetrating ministry brought nearly
one million people to a baptism of repentance. It was an
unprecedented beginning to a time of visitation. It was into this
electrified atmosphere of awakened faith that Jesus came, bringing
miracles previously unseen in Israel's history. The presence of the
living God was flowing through Christ; His message was unparalleled:
the kingdom of heaven was at hand!Yet, for all the multitudes, miracles, signs and wonders,
incredibly, Jesus lamented over the nation. He wept because,
according to His view, they failed to "recognize the time of [their]
visitation" (Luke 19:44).In what way did they miss this move of God? Certainly, vast
multitudes responded to John's call for repentance. Clearly, people
were in awe of the supernatural: the incurable had been cured and
demoniacs delivered! And, what of the multitudes that followed Jesus
into the wilderness whom He fed the loaves and fishes – didn't they
recognize the uniqueness of this hour?Obviously, the crowds were very familiar with the healing,
miraculous dimensions of a visitation (see Luke 4:14-19; Isaiah
61:1-2). Yet, when God comes in visitation He is seeking two
unfolding realities: to destroy the works of the devil and then
build His kingdom into the lives of the newly healed. He does not
come to heal us so we can drift back into our old lives. He heals us
so He can transform us into His image. Indeed, the very captives He
sets at liberty He then empowers to "rebuild the ancient ruins . . .
raise up the former devastations and . . . repair the ruined cities"
(Isaiah 61:4).To ignore or minimize this transformational goal is serious. When we
are given much, much is required. You see, the word visitation not
only means a time of healing; it also refers to a time of
inspection, of being examined closely. God not only participates in
the joy of our deliverance, He is also examining us to see if we
will now respond in increasing obedience.Our obedience actually creates a different future for us, one that
is blessed. Yet, if we do not respond, there are calamities awaiting
also. He tells the newly healed to "not sin anymore" lest something
worse happen (John 5:14). To the delivered He warns that, if their
soul remains unoccupied after having their inner lives cleansed and
put in order, the "last state of that man becomes worse than the
first" (Matt. 12:45).You see, at the very moment God removes our burdens, He is also
removing our excuses. Having now been freed from oppression, the
Lord expects that we will put aside our differences, reconcile and
unite as a heavenly community, and begin to transform our world.Myspace Layouts
