BE ON GUARD, BE ON ALERT, AND BE WATCHFUL
SCRIPTURE:
“But about that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:32—37 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Many believers want to know when the end will come. There is so much division in trying to interpret the times that we are in. People on the street do not care whether this world will come to an end or not. How can one care if they do not know? But for believers, we have gone over and beyond trying to understand and predict when the end times will come. Jesus gives me hope, not getting me all riled up and overly concerned about things that are beyond my control. Jesus said, about the DAY or HOUR, NO ONE KNOWS, NOT EVEN THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN, NOR THE SON, BUT THE FATHER.
This is an interesting response to the disciples with Jesus who were concerning about when the day and the hour will come. Jesus said, NO ONE KNOWS but the Father. In essence, it is not that Jesus doesn’t know, but he said, that is UP TO THE FATHER. It is really up to God when he will bring those days to pass. He is a compassionate Father who is full of grace and mercy and knows when to pull the curtain to end the show.
So, many have tried to predict and usher in the time of the end, and even predicted the days, but always ended up embarrassing themselves. Everything that happens in this life is UP TO THE FATHER, whether to let it happen or hold it back for his own purpose.
Our Father in Heaven does not move at my time nor your time. He moves and does things without my permission or my desires. No one can dictate to him when the end times must come. It’s up to the Father and not to the angels nor Jesus to bring that about. God moves outside of our time frame. He moves at his will when things are right to happen or not.
But Jesus gives us a great perspective as we wait for the time of all the things we see starting to happen. As a believer and a follower of Jesus, I must not concern myself with things that shouldn’t be my concern. Jesus ’ words to us, his followers, as he spoke to those who were with him then to:
- BE ON GUARD
- BE ON ALERT
- BE WATCHFUL
APPLICATION:
This is very important for me as a believer and a follower of Christ. I must not be like someone who works and always keeps his eyes on the clock and the end of the day. I must stay awake while I am supposed to be working and do what I require. I must be faithful in my duties. I MUST BE READY AT ALL TIMES and not be slacking. Be on guard, alert, and watchful, must be my concerns. It speaks about being ready and being faithful and not slacking and sleeping when I am supposed to be working. I must thinking about being productive and not about what time it is and what day it is. I needed this reminder. Keep working until he comes. Keep busy until he comes. He might come in the midnight, afternoon, morning, or twenty years from now, but my responsibility is to be faithful until he comes.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for the reminder today. I know that there are many times I keep my eyes on the clock and the day, rather than keeping my heart in doing your will. Please help me never be concerned about things beyond my control and keep myself busy to do the things that are on your heart. Please help me to trust in you and be faithful to you always. Please help me to do your will in these tumultuous days of my journey with you. Amen!
