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During the ministry of Jesus, the city of Jerusalem was experiencing a struggle. There was a spiritual battle going on between the religious ideas the people had become comfortable with and the demands of God's powerful presence.

The words of Jesus penetrated the people with clear principles of God's Kingdom. Preaching frequently in the city and the temple, He presented the power of God to heal and deliver; and the multitudes hearing Him were set free. Yet those who should have been most eager to hear the Gospel refused to accept God in their midst.

Coming down the Mount of Olives on a colt, Jesus approached the city that God called "the City of Peace," Jerusalem. The people began to rejoice and shout praises to God for the mighty works they had seen.

In adulation, they laid their garments and palm branches in the pathway before Him. He received their praise as King, Possessor of heaven and earth, which He deserved. It was time to recognize that heaven's royalty had come.

Amid this tremendous display, it became clear that Jerusalem as a whole had divided loyalties. They had learned to live religiously content without God. Their comfort and complacency blinded their eyes to what belonged to them.

Jesus looked upon the city of God's people and began to weep because they had missed the season of God's visitation in the flesh. Jesus was God's mercy, peace, and power made available to them.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, if thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this day, the things, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side.

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
(Luke 19:41-44)
The very ones who should have known the Messiah could not recognize God standing in their midst. They missed the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthing of the Church. Instead of embracing the Messiah, they rejected Him.

By rejecting God's visitation, the Israelites set into motion their own destruction. Jesus declared prophetically what the result of their calloused hearts would be. He foretold with pinpoint accuracy the events that would befall them.

In less than forty years the Romans besieged the city, cast a trench about it, and kept its inhabitants in on every side. Titus built a wall surrounding the city and cut off all hope of escape. He commanded his soldiers to "dig up the city," so the entire city was leveled.

It would be nearly 1900 years before the people would again pray at the Wailing Wall where Jesus had stood.

A Fresh Breath
What was true of God's city in those days can be true of His people today. There is a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit being breathed into the Body of Christ. As the Holy Spirit reaches out, welcome Him and embrace His ways with a willing heart. Sense His prompting and be quick to respond. Hear His voice and do not hesitate to obey.

In the beginning when that breath of God began pulsating through Adam's cold, lifeless body, he was made alive. A vibrant relationship developed, and Adam walked in unbroken fellowship with God.

As God breathes on His people today, He pulls us into a deeper relationship - a dimension in Him that is untouched by human efforts or ambitions. Only those who yield in willing obedience can experience this updraft of the Holy Spirit.

Today is a time of visitation! The Holy Spirit is moving in the Church to restore His power. This restoration is the Holy Spirit in a manifest and resident manner.

We dare not take lightly this sense of God's presence reaching out to lift us, or we will be left behind as He moves forward with His plan. Like Jerusalem then, many in His nation (the Church) today have pulled back from the moving of the Spirit.

If you miss the time of the Holy Spirit's visitation, you will set into motion your own ruin. If you do not reach up to Him to walk in those things which belong to you, and in those things He will reveal to you, your spiritual sight will grow dim.

Satan will dig a trench around you until it looks like there is no way out. He will keep you in on every side and lay you even with the ground. What you set your hand to do will not be blessed by God. You will have to rely on manipulation of the Holy Spirit.

Sadly, for many believers, God is no more real then He is to the unbeliever. God hasn't left them; but if they do not walk toward the light, they will be drawing back from Him.

Change can seem so difficult. The light of the Holy Spirit continually points you to new territory, at least new to you. The unknown can seem uncomfortable. You may not feel as secure in new surroundings. Even new spiritual revelation can be unsettling to your mind.

If you draw back from His dealings or direction, you pull away from His light. Soon the dimming light gives way to darkness. The dimension He was drawing you into is hidden from your eyes in the darkness of disobedience.

You can almost hear the sound of trenches being dug around you. Though you cry our for victory, there is none in disobedience. Victory exists only when you obey.

Source: Yielding to the Holy Spirit by Dennis Burke
Excerpt permission granted by Dennis Burke Ministries

Author Biography

Dennis Burke, Ph.D.
Web site: Dennis Burke Ministries
 
Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: the Way to a New Life magazine, books, eBooks, CDs, and mp3 resources, Dennis has brought revelation knowledge on the truths of God's Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and overcome the challenges life brings through faith in God's Word.
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