Discerning seasons and times (19/7/2023)
Luke 12:54-56 "He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?"
Discernment is interpreting happenings. It is seeing beyond what catches the eye into hidden and deeper meanings behind the scenes. Jesus used a common analogy of how people see the cloud and wind patterns in the sky and could tell whether it will rain or not. And it does. He rebuked them for interpreting weather accurately but not discerning seasons and times they lived in.
With the help of modern technology, more precise predictions can be made for several aspects of human existence. Experts and scientists use this to improve life. Beyond acquiring knowledge to guide certain decisions through these predictions, the interpreting of times should direct humanity to God our Creator. God set season s and times and uses them to accomplish His purposes.
By discerning the present times, one can tell that the trends are pointing to something significant. Jesus said (about the signs of the end of the age), that when you see these things, know that the end is near. It is right at the door. How does this inform one’s relationship with God?
Jesus described as hypocrites those who can interpret everything else well, but forget about their relationship with God and preparation for His soon return. Don’t be one of them!
Luke 21:31 "Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near."
Shalom children of God