Topic: How to Be Alert in These Times [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 28 March 2020
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Luke 21:33-36 (NLT) Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.
While speaking about the last days, Jesus gave us direction on how to remain alert and not to miss out on His will for our lives as various events begin to unfold upon the earth. As we see in our text above, God doesn’t want anything to dull our spiritual senses; neither the pleasures or the pressures of life. IN the Good News Bible, verse 34 of our text above urges us to be “careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you.” Jesus adds, in our text above, that if we are going to be alert, we must also be prayerful. If we are going to be strong and alert, we just not allow either the pleasures or the pressures of life to stop us from maintaining a strong and consistent fellowship with God. It is in that space that we connect with God and draw strength from Him. That is where we build ourselves and stir up the life and grace of Christ that is in us. Prayer may not avert challenges from coming to us but it will stir up God’s grace and strength for our victory.
According to Luke 22:44-45, though Jesus was in agony because of what He was about to face, the Bible records that He prayed more earnestly. The disciples, on the other hand, wee sleeping because of the sorrow that was in their hearts. The grace to fellowship more with God, whether in times of pleasure or pressure, is upon you today. Nothing should take the time and place of your time of personal fellowship with God. Our text above reminds us that although Heaven and earth will disappear, the Word of God will not disappear. No matter what is going on or not going on in your life, I pray that the word of God and prayer will become major constants in your life. I pray that you will be string and alert in the Spirit at all times.
Prayer Focus:
Pray in the Spirit and stir up the grace and victory of Christ into your life. Receive God’s grace to be alert and in close fellowship with Him.
Bible in one year reading plan: Judges 9-10, Luke 5:17-39.