Today's Reading:
Job 25; Mark 13,14
Scripture
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! (Mark 13:32-33)
Observation
Mark 13 talks a lot about the second coming of Jesus Christ and the events that will precede or coincide with it. These last many months I have, like most of us, thought more about the last days than ever before. The disruption that the pandemic has brought, along with the myriad of other wild and wacky things going on in the world, all point us to Christ’s return sooner, rather than later. There are those that follow the signs very closely trying to predict when it will occur. I like what verses 28 & 29 say, 28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door.” I take that to mean that, even though we won’t be able to accurately predict the exact time of the second coming, we can use our common sense to see that we are closer to it now than ever before.
Application
So, what does it mean to “…be on guard! Stay Alert!”? What must I do to prepare? For me, it means that time is more precious, that the will of God in my life must be more urgent. I have to constantly ask God if I am where He wants me to be and if I am doing what He wants me to do. I can’t just walk the well-worn paths that I have always taken, I must be alert and make sure I’m listening to His voice for my next assignment. When my mom was sick last year and we knew time was short I was very intentional that I spoke with her about her Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. I couldn’t leave it for another time in the future or take for granted that everything was going to be alright; I had to be sure. I must treat this as a similar situation. What if Jesus returned tomorrow? Are my friends ready? Is my family ready? Am I ready? I need to live with more purpose and intention. I must repent often and move quickly when God shows me my assignment. I may not be able to predict the future, but I will never regret being on guard and staying alert for my Heavenly Father.
Prayer
Dear Lord, It’s so hard to live each day with urgency because we are constantly bombarded by the tasks of everyday life. I ask that You would give me eyes to see what You would like me to see and ears to hear what You want me to hear. Please open the doors wide that You want me to walk through and close and lock those that I must not. I want to be about my Father’s business in these last days so I ask for Your guidance and direction to walk more closely with You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
