Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place. – Luke 21:36
Have you ever watched a funny video on television or online of someone who wasn’t paying attention to their surroundings while they were walking? They usually end up tripping over something or falling into water or mud. While these are fun videos to watch, they can also paint a picture of what can happen if you are not paying attention in your spiritual life.
In Luke chapter 21, Jesus warns His disciples of what was to come in the future. He described not only the fall of Jerusalem, but also His second coming to Earth. He described wars, persecution, natural disasters, and other terrors that would precede His return. At the end of all of this, He gave His disciples a warning: stay awake at all times and pray for the strength to escape these things. Some other translations say to “be on the watch.” Regardless of the translation, Jesus’ message in this verse is the same: pay attention to what is happening in your life, so that you don’t get caught in a snare. Make sure you are always ready so that when Jesus comes back, you can leave with Him and escape the coming destruction.
Take a moment today to pause and examine your life. Are you ready for Jesus to come back, or are you more like the people in the video clips, not paying attention to where you are going? Ask God to help you get your heart ready. Pray over the nation and its leaders, that their actions would reflect a spirit of readiness and devotion to God.
Today’s Verse: Luke 21:36
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
