Desolate Holy City

June 29

(Luke 13:34-35 NIV) ““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! {35} Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.””

(Luke 19:41-44 NIV) “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it {42} and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. {43} The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. {44} They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.”

God longed to protect Jerusalem, but her people were unwilling to come under His authority and care. Their stubborn refusal of God’s covering would eventually seal their fate. There was no joy in Christ’s voice as He prophesied their spiritual and physical desolation. He did not speak in anger or through clenched teeth. He spoke with a heavy heart. His eyes were likely filled with tears. The desolation He spoke of did come. And it still comes today when we will not follow Jesus as Lord. It comes to nations, and it comes to our personal lives when we refuse God’s dominion. The Lord sees this coming desolation and longs for us to come under the covering of His wings. He calls our name, but we do not respond. Our free wills can cause us great pain. If we are willing, we can enjoy the security of God’s grace. If we are unwilling, we face the desolation alone. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day