Luke 21:34-36 – “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I sensed an urgency to warn to ‘Stay Ready.’ I am certain that Jesus is coming soon. I am certain that the world is growing darker. I am certain that we must guard our perception because perception becomes our reality.
When the disciples asked Jesus for signs to alert them to His coming and the end of the age, He told them the number one sign would be rampant deception.
We tend to think of deception externally, and that is real. However, the most dangerous and destructive deception is internal. Self-deception is not only dangerous but also deadly.
In verse 34, Jesus gave a powerful warning. “But watch out so your hearts are not weighed down by carousing, strong drink, and the worries of life. Do not let that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”
Some people deceive themselves into thinking that because they know Scripture, have had a past relationship with God, and enjoyed the working of the Holy Spirit, their present dive into drunkenness and sin is somehow permissible, or they will somehow be excused or drawn in at the last minute. That is a risk one dare not take. This could be the day we stand before God.
I am praying for the LORD to do for each of us what He did for the disciples after the resurrection. Luke 24:45 – “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…”
Three things are vital:
- True Repentance.
- Persistent Prayer.
- Saturation of the Holy Spirit. (Jesus’ last words: “Wait until you are clothed, encompassed, saturated) with power from on high.”
We must follow the cloud, resist evil, submit to God, and pray. Do not be one whom the Day catches you unaware and unprepared.
LORD, help us always to be ready!
