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The Moment of Decision

by | Jun 23, 2021 | Rest, Salvation

After Bible college, I went to Malawi in the summer of 1986 on a short term mission trip, staying 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 wooden and animal tail staff.  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, and I think the people of Jerusalem long ago may have felt the same way when they witnessed Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city.

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’  And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’  So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.'” (Matthew 21:9-10 NKJV)  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 rejection of God’s chosen One, unfolding years later in the city’s destruction , a day which Jesus foresaw and wept over.

This pivotal event was a 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 wandering in the desert.  “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 at that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’  So I swore an oath in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (Hebrews 3:7-11 NKJV)

There will be a moment of decision, which will determine the course our lives take from now on.  What will our answer be?  Will you reject Him in your unbelief? When Jesus makes His entry in our lives,  will we take notice and choose Him as King, and follow?  Or 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:  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. (Dave Moody) Amen.

Copyright © 2021, by Shirley Moulton

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