THE DAY OF VISITATION

 

 

THE DAY OF VISITATION

You “know not the time of your visitation” first and foremost has to do with when Christ the dayspring from on high had visited the people of Israel with his personal presence, preaching among them, and working miracles; and yet they knew him not as the “Messiah”, but despised and rejected him; yea, after that they had put him to death, and he was risen again, he ordered his disciples to begin their ministry, and preach the Gospel, at Jerusalem; and they continued for some time only preaching to them, or at least rarely elsewhere, till they put away the Gospel from them.

The time of the ministry of John the Baptist, of Christ, and his apostles in Judea, was the time of Jerusalem's visitation in a way of mercy and impartation of “grace and truth”; which not being taken notice of, and observed, brought another kind of visitation upon them; judgment came upon them even in a way of wrath and vengeance because they rejected Jesus, as the Messiah.

The "day of visitation" is a biblical term that refers to a time when God intervenes in human affairs, often in a significant or dramatic way. It can signify divine inspection by God examining our lives, hearts, and actions (Psalm 17:3, Jeremiah 17:10), redemption and deliverance: God rescuing us from difficulties or oppression (Exodus 3:16-17, Luke 1:68), judgment and correction: God addressing sin, injustice, or disobedience (Isaiah 10:3, Jeremiah 50:27) and blessing and favor: God bestowing grace, mercy, and abundance (Psalm 65:9-10, Luke 1:72-75). The day of visitation can be a moment of personal transformation, spiritual awakening, divine guidance and unprecedented opportunity. In essence, it's a time when God's presence and power become manifest in our lives, bringing hope, restoration, and new possibilities. We must be prepared to receive God's visitation with humility, faith, and expectation! (Isaiah 40:31, Hebrews 11:6)

 "You did not recognize the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:41-44) serves as a poignant reminder to acknowledge and seize the opportunities presented by God's visitation. Failing to do so can result in missed blessings, delayed answers, and prolonged struggles.

The story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) beautifully illustrates this principle. Zacchaeus's determination to see Jesus, even if it meant climbing a tree, demonstrates his willingness to go above and beyond to encounter the Lord. His efforts were rewarded, and Jesus visited him, bringing salvation and transformation to his life.

This account teaches us to recognize the season of visitation, be willing to take extra steps to encounter God and to seize the opportunity for transformation and blessing. We must remain vigilant and receptive to God's visitation, lest we miss the divine appointments and opportunities designed to prosper us! (Psalm 80:14, Hebrews 3:15)

The blessings of the day of visitation are numerous and profound! Some of these blessings includes divine presence when God's manifest presence, brings comfort, peace, and joy. It is time of redemption and deliverance through release of freedom from bondage, oppression, or difficult circumstances; healing and restoration through physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, restoring wholeness and well-being. Allows us to have clear guidance for life's journey, revealing God's plans and purposes, unconditional forgiveness, mercy, and grace, cleansing us from sin and guilt. Time of visitation brings spiritual awakening, renewed passion, zeal, and commitment to God, igniting a deeper faith; provision and abundance through material and spiritual blessings, meeting our needs and exceeding our expectations; protection and safety as God's shelter and protect us, safeguarding us from harm and evil. Wisdom and understanding illuminates and bring insight, helping us comprehend God's Word and His ways and we are given transformative power, the power to change, transform, and renew our lives, conforming us to Christ's image.

We must embrace these blessings with gratitude and humility, recognizing the day of visitation as a divine gift! (Psalm 103:2-5, Ephesians 3:16-19)

Fulfilment of Prophecy and Removal of Barrenness come at the time of visitation

“And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken” [Gen 21:1]

A visitation of God broke the long season of barrenness in Sarah’s life, resulting in fulfillment of prophecy and the birth of Isaac, whose name meant ‘laughter.’

It is the season that we recognize that God Has Seen our Pain and Come to Act on Behalf of His People

“When they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped” Exodus 4:31

A visitation of God broke the long season of Israel’s bondage in Egypt. They realized God had not left them alone in their suffering but was intimately concerned for them. His power was about to be revealed.

Divine Help And provision come unto the children of God when He visits them

“Then [Naomi] arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread” (Ruth 1:6)

A visitation of God broke a long season of famine in Bethlehem, Judah.

That Visitation had a chain reaction! The testimony of God’s goodness reached a grieving widow called Naomi, who was living in Moab. She moved to that place of visitation and her inheritance and family line were restored there.

Time of visitation is the restoration of Inheritance and Homecoming

“For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.’ (Jer. 29:10)

A visitation of God broke the long season of Judah’s exile, and they returned to Jerusalem at His appointed time.

The Ultimate Divine Visitation is Jesus being physically manifested on earth as the long-awaited Messiah who came to redeem us, birth forth salvation and translate us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of darkness.

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people…the Dayspring from on high has visited us” (Luke 1:68,78)

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19)

Outpourings of the Holy Spirit came from the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and throughout church history, we understand visitations of the Holy Spirit to be times of outpouring, bringing refreshing and empowering to God’s people.

The day of visitation is not “chronos” time which refers to ‘clock time’ or ‘calendar time.’ It is the word used for general time; but it is the second Greek word for time is ‘kairos.’ Kairos means “due time, a fixed time, a season, or an OPPORTUNE time” Jesus came at the Kairos time that the Father has set to rescue the souls of men.

Pray must go on continually in the season of divine visitation. Remember “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). When God spoke these words to Judah, He was saying, in effect, when the kairos time comes for Me to deliver you, you will seek Me—and I will answer and deliver you. (See Jer. 29:10-14) When we have prayed, it is time to look for ways to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. We want to participate with God in His work.

If God asks us to do something specific, an act of obedience can bring a powerful breakthrough.

Goliath was killed by the word of the Lord AND by a stone from David’s sling (1 Samuel 17). God provided food for a widow and her son, but first, she had to give away the last of what she had to Elijah (1 Kings 17:7-16). Sometimes, however, it is not about doing anything except simply receiving by faith which is equally an act of obedience.

Joses Hizkiah

www.uliministry.org

joseshizkiah@gmail.com