Welcome to Saturday, August 21st!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Vigilant and Expectant

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Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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Vigilant and Expectant

How often do we think about the Lord's return?

With all of the turmoil in the world, it's not hard to envision the passing of time, that we are undoubtedly living in the end times.

However, too often, we as believers live with an air of complacency. Why is that, do you think? Is it because we hear so much about the Second Coming? Have the things of this world taken precedence?

Have we fallen into the trap of believing that since He has not returned for 2,000 years the odds are against His imminent return?

Vigilant means keeping careful watch, and expectant means showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen.

Are we keeping careful watch? Are we excited about the imminent return of Jesus Christ?

From a human standpoint, Christ has delayed His coming longer than many thought He would. Why might that be? Only God knows, but Scripture does declare that God's purposes must be completely fulfilled and that He is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish.

2 Peter 3:8-10 N5AS9

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  [9]  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  [10]  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Though I mentioned earlier that we are to be vigilant and expectant, this does not mean that we should just sit and wait. We must be constantly focused on the business at hand.

We must not be erratic in our Christian commitment. We must live in the  Word of God and pray with a desire to know Him more and more.

What is the business we are to be focused upon?

It is living out our faith and telling people about Jesus Christ.

If the Lord can return at any moment, like a thief in the night, then the lost are short of time. Since we are entrusted with the message of salvation, we must see the lost and take the message of salvation to them.

We must not fall into the trap that there is always tomorrow to do something for the Kingdom of God. There is always tomorrow to fully devote oneself to living as disciples of Jesus. However, our readiness consists not in just idly staring into Heaven but in actively doing those things that are pleasing to Him.

While watching the news these past several days, seeing the incredible evil in the world, seeing how God's people are being treated, caused me to think His return is imminent.

However, I must not interpret this thought as an excuse to sit and do nothing more. The timing of God's return is up to Him. My task of living for the Lord and sharing the Good News remains.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We look forward to Your return when You gather up all those who have loved You and served You in this lifetime.

Help us to never be so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good.

We pray for boldness.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!