Text: Songs of Solomon 5:1-6
Memory verse:
“I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”
‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I once read a story, which is considered one of the greatest disasters of history and which took place in 1271. Nicolo and Matteo Polo (the father and uncle of Marco) were visiting the Kublai Khan, who was at that time a world ruler over China, India, and all of the East. He was attracted to the story of Christianity as Nicolo and Matteo told it to him. Responding, he said to them: “You shall go to your high priest and tell him on my behalf to send me 100 men skilled in your religion, and I shall be baptized. And when I am baptized, all my barons and great men will be baptized, and their subjects will receive baptism, too. So, there will be more Christians here than there are in your parts.”
Sadly, nothing was done for about 30 years. Thereafter, two or three missionaries were sent. Too few and too late! Think of the difference it would have made to the world if China had become fully Christianized in the thirteenth century and the East had been given to Christ! What a missed divine opportunity!
In our text, the bride, being sloppy, opened the door to find out that her lover was gone and she couldn’t find him (Songs 5:6). This is the point. It’s not enough to recognize an opportunity, but you must also act with dispatch. Acting late is not better than not acting at all and comes with great consequences either to us as individuals, families, peoples or as a ministry. God’s time is moving forward minute by minute and hour by hour. Thus, the scripture says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬).
I once missed a flight. I got there to discover that the gate had been closed. While I was still at the counter, the aircraft took off. Then, I thought of booking for the next flight schedule that night, but none, as that was the last flight to my destination for the day. I learnt a lesson of life. God has time schedule for everything (Ecc3:1). His time is the right and perfect time. Unfortunately, many people still think they can live by any schedule they choose, and at their own time, they can yield to God.
Opportunity is like seasons, and if you don’t plant at the planting season, you lose your harvest (Prov 20:4). In fact, some crops must be planted within the first few days of rain within the season, or else you miss that chance. Likewise, God’s grace is not open-ended, so don’t postpone your salvation or your decision to serve God (Ecc 12:1; 2 Cor 6:2).
Friends, be it in your walk with God or in business, receive grace to recognize God-sent opportunities, and act on time in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, deliver me from procrastination and sloppiness and help me to make timely moves at divine opportunities in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let me never frustrate your plans and purpose, but help me to maximize opportunities in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. It’s not enough to recognize opportunities, I also make timely moves to maximize the opportunities.
2. God’s grace is not open-ended, so I will not waste His available grace to be saved and to know and serve Him now.