Luke 12:54 “And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.”
The Lord is upbraiding the people because they can “see a cloud rise out of the west” and know that it is about to rain; but, they “do not discern this time” (Luke 12:56). That is, they “do not discern” that their ungodly behaviors and rejection of the Lord is like an ominous “cloud” rising in the “west” and it is about to rain dreadful trouble upon them. The Lord told them “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” (Luke 12:49) and “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:” (Luke 12:51) and the “division” will even rend families apart (Luke 12:52-53). It is even so today; some will love and follow and “cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23) no matter how difficult their path of obedience is; others are “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (II Timothy 3:4). Then the Lord tells the Parable of the Figtree that didn’t bear fruit, how it ought to be cut down; but, the “dresser” pleaded, “let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” (Luke 13:8-9). The clouds are rising, and we should do no less! We should sincerely pray for preaching grace to feed and nourish the Children of God, the Church of Jesus Christ, and pray that there will be a great ingathering of those who love the Lord and love one another and yearn to bring forth the fruit of praise and obedience to our God’s Glory!