The Window Of Opportunity

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house,

AND PROVE ME now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, IF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH

TO RECEIVE IT.

2 Kings 23:17 And Elisha said, OPEN THE WINDOW eastward. And King Joash opened it ---

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house: and his WINDOWS BEING OPEN in his chambers toward Jerusalem, Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day.

I. DEFINITIONS:

A. WINDOW:

opening for light and air; transparent material usually capable of being opened & closed; interval of time when something must happen; time when conditions for opportunity exist; part of a computer that displays or divides distinctly different types of information into areas of display.

B. OPPORTUNITY:

favorable juncture; good chance for advancement or progress; situation which one may seize to the benefit of the whole; chance; shot; opening.

II. OUR GOAL IS MORE LEISURE TIME?

A. KILLING TIME?

We are wise stewards of our money, we teach investment of money with thought. We teach our children to use their minds and talents in the proper avenues. But somehow we live like we have forever, and we waste time, seems we don’t realize there is a limited, finite amount of time that we possess. Once the day is spent it can never be recalled.

Now is the accepted time.

Time is that wherein there is opportunity.

Time is the most valuable thing you spend. Show me what you spend your time on, and I will show you what you love. Time is flying and never to return.

E. IT IS GETTING LATE! John 4:35 Say not ye, There are four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

III. A YOUNG MAN COMES TO A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY, AND MISSES IT!

2 Kings recalls a very sad day for a young man, and a sad day for a great nation. Joash came to his window of opportunity.

A. THERE IS BEFORE US A GREAT WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

2 Kings 23:17 And Elisha said, OPEN THE WINDOW eastward. And King Joash opened it --- In this story there are two main characters.

ELISHA is an old man of God and he nears the end of his ministry.

JOASH was the new young King of Israel. JOASH HAS GREAT POTENTIAL.

II Kings 13: 14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And JOASH the king of Israel came down unto Elisha, and wept over his face, and said, O, my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

B. CAN WE FOLLOW THE LEADER WITH LOVE, ZEAL AND SUBMIT TO DIRECTIONS EVEN

IF WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND?

Joash recognized God and Elisha as the man of God, but there was a lacking in catching the moment of opportunity that was before the young King. II Kings 13:15 And Elisha said unto Joash, TAKE THE BOW AND ARROWS. And Joash took the bow and the arrows.

II Kings 13:16 As King Joash takes the bow and arrows in his hand, the

old preacher lays his hands upon the Kings hands, a token of the anointing.

C. HERE COMES THE OPPORTUNITY!

II Kings 13:17 And Elisha said, OPEN THE WINDOW eastward. And Joash opened the window. Elisha said SHOOT THE ARROW out the window... And Joash shot ...

The opportunity looms before Joash as Elisha commands:

THESE ARE THE ARROWS OF THE LORD’S DELIVERANCE and the arrow of deliverance from Syria.

D. LACK OF COMMITMENT WHILE AT THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

11 Kings 13:18 Elisha commands the young King Joash to TAKE THE ARROWS AND HIT THE GROUND WITH THEM.

The young King halfheartedly took the arrows and hit the ground three times and stopped.

E. NO SADDER WORDS OF PEN OR TONGUE, THAN THE WORDS WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN!

II Kings 13:19 And Elisha, the man of God was WROTH w/ Joash, & Elisha said, Joash you should have hit those arrows to the ground 5 or 6x’s

May I suggest to you, the problem was a heart problem, not just how Joash hit the ground? Joash was at the WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY & HE MISSED IT.

GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU, COME TO THE OPEN WINDOW AND ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR YOU!

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, AND PROVE ME now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, IF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, & POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT