Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Based Upon Matthew 24
Many can remember when the use of security alarms for homes was unthinkable. People in many neighborhoods slept with their windows open and front doors unlocked. Convertible top cars were left wide open, except in the case of rain. The so-called good ol’ days have long-since passed. It would be a mistake, in most societies, to leave doors and windows unlocked and beyond that, it often makes good sense to use safety devices such as alarms. Although no alarm is one hundred percent effective in every instance, they do forewarn their owners of intruders.
Imagine you and your family were sleeping soundly, and suddenly you saw the bright beam of your motion detector triggered flood light, and heard a warning chirp indicating that someone had entered your property. You get up, call the authorities and the would-be intruder, is taken away to jail minutes later. In that case, the added expense of a simple security system was justifiable. You averted a potential catastrophe by simply installing the system and paying attention to its signals.
God has made a security system available to all who would receive it. He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to all of those who are willing to receive it. When He abides in the heart, the faithful are alerted to the times in which they live. When impending crises loom, God triggers the alarm of conscience, while illuminating the mind with the light of the scriptures. In these cases, we can be prepared for what is coming.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is approaching. All who have become acquainted with the Holy Spirit are led to prepare. To those who do not love the Lord, Jesus comes as a thief. He is unexpected. His faithful ones are prepared all along, because they watch and wait just as He said that they should. Even though He hasn’t told us exactly when He would return, He has given us signs (Matthew 24). When carefully studied along with other prophecies of scripture, God’s people can be prepared and awaiting His arrival.
Let the security alarm of God’s grace protect you from being unprepared. Those who watch and wait will be fully equipped to meet any unforeseen circumstance. To the unfaithful, Jesus comes as a thief, but to those who love Him, He is a welcomed guest. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28).
