Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Based Upon Luke 12:35-53
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke 12:35–37).
In Bible lands, even today, it is customary for a man to gather his loose outer garments together right before he springs into action or exerts his strength, so the clothing will not impede his progress. It is very interesting that Jesus used this imagery to illustrate what our attitudes should be as we await His return. We must be girded with our lamps burning brightly, and watching. It is also interesting that when He does return, the Bible says that He will gird Himself and serve those whom He finds watching.
Our spiritual senses should be tingling right now! Girding one’s self and watching do not support idle waiting for some event to occur. Remember, men gird themselves so they can spring to action. Watchmen stay attentive so they can perform their duty of alerting at appropriate times during their watch. Girded watchmen need light in order to see what they are doing! I hope you are getting this. If we are to be girded and watching, with our lights burning brightly while we await Jesus’ return, and these all are antithetical to idleness, then what actions are in line with such girded watching?
Only those who are girded and watching, with the light of God’s Word shining brightly in the Spirit have the tools necessary to arouse and open the door to Him immediately when He comes.
All who say we are followers of Christ have our duties to perform as we await the King’s arrival. There are so many who have no idea that our God is coming back for a spotless people and that they need to repent, by His grace. There are so many who have no idea that our God is presently preparing a place for those who love Him. There are so many who have no idea that they can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to rescue others from the destructive vices of a sinful world, which will ultimately cause their destruction. There are people to feed, people to clothe, people to heal, people to encourage, and people to warn. Who will do all of this? Only those who are girded and watching, with the light of God’s Word shining brightly in the Spirit have the tools necessary to do the will of God. Only those who are girded and watching, with the light of God’s Word shining brightly in the Spirit have the tools necessary to arouse and open the door to Him immediately when He comes. Those who spring faithfully into active service in God’s strength now, not allowing the drag of life circumstances to impede our progress, will be served by our Lord who is preparing to gird Himself when He returns.
