A Narrow Window

“But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage.” (Ezra 9:8 NAS95)

A Narrow Window

The verse above begins with the words, “But now - for a brief moment - grace has been shown.” A narrow window of grace. Let us not miss this moment by drawing the curtains. Let us not waste this opportunity.

What were the circumstances threatening to close this window.?The text tells us: we are “an escaped remnant.” Against all odds and expectations, a small group of Israelites had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Most others were dead or had assimilated into the (now) Persian culture to the east. Only a few were seeking to make the most of a momentary opportunity. Also, the text says, “to give us a peg.” What does that mean? It will hold only so long. We might say today, “We are hanging by a thread.”

And yet God brings into our lives opportunity to see the truth afresh in certain moments, but perhaps only at those certain moments. If you miss it, you may never see it again. A guide told our group in the UP that when we get to this ridge, shinny up the tree and look. None of us did. He said, “Well, then, you missed it.” Let’s not miss that glimpse of grace that God brings, unpredictably and unexpectedly.

There are narrow windows from which to see; narrow windows to believe. There are narrow windows to listen to a story that you will never hear again, or to speak a truth only when those ears are present and attuned. There is a time for a prayer that can be prayed at no other time; time for a deed that will only work right now or be lost forever. Lord, what do you have for me right now, in this brief moment, to see or say, to pray or to do. What in this brief moment of grace?

Perhaps the greatest sins exposed at the judgment seat for Christians are those missed opportunities because we have lived with such dulled, selfish and worldly senses. Paul says, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity” Col. 4:5. And, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” Gal. 6:10.

The other phrase in our text above is this: “a little reviving.” God, in His grace, gives “a little reviving,” if we would receive it. We must be awake, not asleep; tuned in, not distracted; directed by the Spirit, not the flesh; open to God’s gracious entrance into our lives, and not considering it to be an interruption or intrusion. Thank you, Lord, for this narrow window of grace.