Read Through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 77, Matthew 24

I remember many summers when I was growing up and was left home under my big sister’s care while my parents went to work. We knew that our parents would be home sometime before dinner, but we never really knew exactly when that would be. When my sister would hear the back door opening, she’d demand, “Stop screaming, Kim! Be good! Mom and Dad are home,” and my steady stream of bickering would come to sudden hault. I didn’t want my parents to walk in on us mid-argument.

Fast-forward thirty years and I remember countless days when I’d have my kids clean up the house at 4:30pm, so we were ready for their dad to get home. I wanted my husband to open the door to me preparing dinner in the kitchen, while the kids played quietly on the floor, the school books and toys put away. I hated the idea of him walking into the middle of the chaos that four rambunctious, homeschooling kids can produce.

Matthew 24 explains that though we won’t know the precise day or hour, we will know the season when Jesus’s return is near. Like “the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37) If the people of Noah’s time had paid attention, they would have seen Noah building a boat and known that a flood must be coming … but they remained ignorant until the flood swept them away.

Friends, listen to me! Open your eyes and ears! The days are near. The hours are coming to a close. Jesus is coming soon. He will not tarry forever! Stay awake. Be alert. Keep watch. Though we do not know what day our Lord is coming, we can know that it will be soon. (Matthew 24:42)

Are you ready for Jesus to return?

Are you like that faithful and wise servant who is busy doing his master’s work, or like that wicked servant who is going to be caught unaware when his master returns?

Are you anxiously looking forward to your groom to arrive and call out, “Honey, I’m home” or are you distracted by the trappings of this world?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, You are giving us so many signs that the days are short. Let us be about our Master’s business. Strengthen us for the task that You have given to us. Let us not be distracted by all that glitters and calls for our attention. Help us to keep our hands to the plow and our eyes fixed on the heavens, from where our Savior will return for His bride.

Please prepare our American brothers and sisters for persecution, and please help our Asian brothers and sisters to stand firm and hold fast. Help us all to keep HOT our love for our neighbor and for You. Make us faithful laborers in the fields – scattering seeds, maturing seedlings, and bringing in the ripe grain.

In the perfect and holy name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.

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