Second Opportunities!

Though it has been said that opportunity only knocks once, that is not always true. Sometimes an opportunity will knock more than once. However, there are times when it is best to take advantage of the first opportunity. Putting things off is not always wise and sometimes our excuses for doing so are pretty lame. However, thank God that out of necessity second opportunities are sometimes provided, especially when they are significant activities.

For the Jews, the Passover was a significant reminder of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. This remembrance was to be observed annually on the fourteenth day of the first month of the year ( Numbers 9:1-3) according to their sacred calendar (which was different than the civil calendar). In the second year after leaving Egypt ( Numbers 9:1), as the nation prepared to observe the Passover in the wilderness, there were some individuals who had become unclean through touching a dead body. They were dismayed that they could be kept from "bringing the LORD'S offering at its APPOINTED TIME" and so Moses inquired of God on behalf of their situation. ( Numbers 9:6-8) God authorized the provision of a second opportunity taking place on the same day of the second month for any who -- during the first month -- were either unclean or happened to be on a long journey. ( Numbers 9:10-11) During this second opportunity the manner of observance was to be carried out the same as was prescribed for the first month. ( Numbers 9:11-12) However, this was not an open ended opportunity for everyone.

We read. . .
"(13) But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD'S offering at ITS APPOINTED TIME; that man shall bear his sin." ( Numbers 9:13 ESV)

They couldn't just wait for the second month to observe the Passover simply because they chose to. It was only if they had truly been unable -- due to uncleanness or being on a long journey -- to observe it during the first month.

We may offer many excuses for why we need a second opportunity for something when we really could have taken advantage of the first. God knows and we know when we have procrastinated, when we have simply not planned very well, or when we have chosen our own way for the moment feeling we will have another opportunity later. Do we really have that assurance regarding tomorrow?

I want to be careful with my parallel here, but what is the bottom line regarding our ATTITUDE toward our regularly assembling together today? "Oh, I can sleep in this week and go next week." "Oh, I'll sleep in and get there in time for the worship assembly." Perhaps one might be thinking, "That is different. To have missed the Passover would have meant waiting a whole other year without a special provision. To apply this to the context of a weekly assembly is different because we would only have to wait a week." Certainly the time period is different, but is the ATTITUDE not the same? What is it that is keeping us from assembling? Is not our assembly together and remembering our Lord as we partake of the Lord's Supper significant enough to us that we should desire to always be there? It is true that missing a week here and there may not constitute "forsaking" or having given up meeting together ( Hebrews 10:25), but it can be where such a habit begins. God knows and we know what it is that keeps us away whether it be legitimate or not!

May we take a close look at our ATTITUDE AND PRIORITIES in relation to the choices we make. The best opportunities are those that we have at the moment. We can't always count on second opportunities. What do the APPOINTMENTS WE KEEP say about what is significant to us? What do those APPOINTMENTS say about our view of God? What do those APPOINTMENTS reveal regarding our life PRIORITIES? It is possible for the present opportunity to be the last of its kind! Let us wisely use the time God so graciously provides to His glory and praise.

Have a great day MEETING LIFE'S MOMENTS IN A GODLY MANNER!
Carl

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