Desperate times call for desperate measures and desperate measures lead to defining moments.



If you’re a Millennial what would you consider the defining moment of your generation? For “The Greatest generation” it would have to be the bombing of Pearl Harbor. A desperate measure for Japan became a defining moment for America and the world. For the Baby Boomer generation it’s probably the assassination of JFK. A desperate measure for Oswald (keep the conspiracies for another page) led to a defining moment for America. For the Millennial generation it would have to be 9/11 and the attacks by Islamic terrorists. A desperate measure for Muslim activists became a defining moment for America and the world. Sadly, defining moments seem to be horrific events as our human nature apparently needs them to get our attention and lead to great change.


We’ve been looking at the days of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah as they continued their slow decline into destruction. During the days of Ahab and Jehoshaphat they were at peace with one another, allies even. Jehoshaphat was leading his army alongside Ahab in the battle against Syria when Ahab was killed. Shortly after that he went with Ahab’s son, Jehoram, to battle against Moab. The battle was going well for Judah and Israel until the very end when they had the king of Moab trapped in his capital city.


At the very end of the account in 2 Kings 3 the king of Moab was so desperate to save his kingdom that he did something so horrific that it immediately ended the battle and sent Israel home in great distress. Despite having seen all the carnage and death of war the army was unprepared to witness the horror of a man slaughtering and offering his own son in sacrifice to an idol. When Moab’s king did that on the wall in front of the invading army it upset them so much that they turned away and went home (verses 26-27). Desperate times led to a desperate measure and became a defining moment.


2000 years ago Jesus died on the cross as the defining moment in the history of the world. Desiring a relationship with humanity, Deity was willing to take the most desperate measure of self-sacrifice to make it possible. Nothing else compares to that defining moment. However, it means nothing to you or me unless we join Him in that self-sacrifice by taking up our cross. And, just as the cross is eternally fresh for eternal deity, every day for us is a defining moment. Great change can only be achieved by you and me picking up His cross every day. Are you desperate enough to take that desperate measure?