S - Matthew 24:37-44 (NLT): "“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 “Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected."O - The verses previous to these identify seasons and circumstances which will precede the Lord's return. They are so horrific that if not shortened no one would survive, and yet … no one will know the day or the hour and no one will "discover" it. In spite of the global upheaval and disasters, life will continue. Banquets, parties and weddings - delightful and hopeful … as it was in the days of Noah. The unavoidable and unpredictable day of the Lord is a constant we all get comfortable with. The comfort should be in its surety and support an ongoing response of fierce personal loyalty to Jesus and his will on earth and in us. The comfort should not be in the idea of a statistical assessment and the idea that it probably won't be today. All of eternity is about today while it's called today because today is the only touch, the only connection, we have with any and all reality. Ready all the time is about our daily response to his person not an anxiety ridden paranoia. Being ready has little to do with recognizing a particular event and way more to do with the cadence of daily living. The point of being ready is not frantic but faithful.
A - Life does go on and it is supposed to. I am not called, in light of end time prophecy and possibilities, to 'never leave my house' but to live in such a way that the recognition of the Lord's return finds a way into my normal, daily living. In terms of the burglar, I don't have to patrol around my house armed and dangerous hour by hour. I do need to close the windows and lock the doors when I'm out on errands or traveling. I do need to be discerning about who I give keys to and who I let know my schedule. It's not about gaining a premonition but maintaining my allegiance to One who is forever faithful.
P - Lord,
The truth is I don't think you're returning today. I admit it is an awesome and exciting possibility … but isn't that the point? You could come today and may it be … but the event is not your focus and should not be mine. O Sovereign Strong and Only True Friend, your interest is in me … my little life caught up in your irrepressible and beautiful life. Thank you for this day with all it will bring; good, bad, expected and unexpected for you are working it all for good. You call me to yourself, to know you and to love you back each day while it is called today; and today I want to live out loud the faithfulness, the fierce personal loyalty you deserve. Everything that can be shaken will be so that what cannot be shaken may remain. You cannot be shaken and neither can the one who trusts in you. Lord, I will be careful with the access of my life and hopeful toward the future because you are with me and I am with you.
Even so, come Lord Jesus,
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment