Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. – Mark 13:33
We have no shortage of watching these days. Many of us turn to the news outlets every day to see what is going on, to heart what new mandates are coming from the CDC, the White House, or even local governments. We keep a hopeful heart that one day we will hear how this virus is burning out, that the bans on gatherings are lifted, how, though cautious, we can go back to our routines. Though, through all this, I hope there are some things we find not as necessary, and maybe some things we once took for granted that we will appreciate more.
When Jesus is telling his disciples to be alert, he is speaking of a time when the Lord shall come and reign on earth as it is in heaven. He tells that no one knows the day or the hour, but we are to be prepared for that moment, and not be asleep in our faith.
One very positive thing I have found in this time is that faith is awakening in many places, and in many people. People that were once hesitant to share their faith are becoming more bold. People are sharing that faith is what they are falling back to in this time of uncertainty. My great hope is that these same people will remain this bold in their faith when the time of crisis is over. That we would continue to see news anchors ask religious leaders to pray on national television, that we would continue to see kind acts across the land, that we would continue to believe in the good that comes from God, and is found in one another.
Yes, now we are watching, we are alert; but, may our prayer be that we will remain so in the time that is still to come when everything seems “normal” again. I’m reminded of a verse in that very long psalm of delight in God’s Word, Psalm 119. In it, the psalmists and the congregation sing of God’s instruction and justice, they hear of God’s righteousness and the life that is offered. Yet, in verse 148 we find the words: I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on Your promise. The psalmist knew that would be times when faith would seem dark, but even there we must meditate on the promise of God’s salvation.
We do not know the time that we will be saved from our current situation, but we do know it is coming, and praise be to God, for the salvation that comes, we will wait, watch, and remain full of hope in Him.
Grace & Peace,
Sam
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