| Photo by NEOM on Unsplash
We have been looking at Jesus teaching on the end times from Luke 21. After Jesus tells them what to look for before He returns, He gives them a personal warning: be ready, because we do not know the hour or the day when Jesus will return!
Luke 21: 34-36; “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let the day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
How many of us like warnings in life? When I am driving, I always have Waze on to give me directions and warnings about cameras. It will give me a warning of a speed camera, a red light camera, or a change in direction. I have a choice when the warning comes: I can pay attention and slow down, stop, or follow the alternate directions. I received the warning, but how will I respond?
Jesus gives his followers a warning here in Luke 21:
- * Watch Out!
- * Do not become spiritually dull! (Insensitive)
- * Do not become sinful and worldly by living a wild, rebellious, worldly life.
- * Do not be worried about the horrific things that you see going on in the world. Why worry when we know the end of the story?
- * Do not be caught in the traps that the enemy places before us to entrap us.
- * Keep alert at all times.
- * Pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen us when we feel we are going to fail! I need to stay filled with the Spirit daily!
Why should I do this? Why should I listen to and obey the warnings that Jesus gives to us? Because one day we are going to stand before Him!
Lord, help me to be like the 5 wise virgins who had the oil for when the bridegroom came. Lord, help me to prepare and have the oil of Your Spirit in my daily life!
Lord, strengthen me to the very end of my life or until the coming of Jesus! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. The daily devotion appears in this publication.
