August 4, 2024

Passage Read: Matthew 23-24
Meditation Verses: 24:48-51

Thought

Many say the Lord could return at any moment, but do they live in such a way as to be found doing His will when He arrives? Are they diligently seeking to know and understand the Lord's desires so as to be busy with fulfilling them, so that when the Lord returns He finds them busy doing His will? Or do we fall into the trap of thinking, "Everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation," and then start investing ourselves, our time and our treasure in building our own kingdom here on earth? Do we become more focused on attaining worldly success, even to the point of dishonoring Christ by our methods? Are we not then guilty of playing the part of the wicked slave who beats his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with drunkards and gluttons? If this is so, then we are doomed, not saved.

Application

The Master's return is not at hand yet. But it is nearer than ever before! Yet in another sense, His return may be far off, but my being gathered to Him could happen at any moment! There is nothing saying I will live to 80 or 90 or 100 and then die. The day of my death has not been revealed to me, so I cannot plan accordingly. I could die any day, which would usher me into the presence of the Lord, for good or ill. What do I want to be found doing on that unknown day? Living for the will of my Father or living for the things of this age? The good servant understands that he could be called to give account of his life at any moment, even if it is not the Master who is returning from His journey. In that sense, the Lord could demand an accounting of my life at any moment. I do want to expect Him at any moment, and I do want to be sure that when He comes for me, I am diligently investing my time, energy, emotion, thought and all physical resources to accomplish His will and advance His mission.