There is an urgent plea being sent out to all of us, all of us believing for a life hereafter. Jesus Himself said, “Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36.
I don’t know about you but that verse is sobering to me. Being able gives us the power and resources to stand and an opportunity to do something to make sure that happens.
If we look at the thoughts right before this statement, Jesus also said “Be careful”, or your hearts will be weighed down with drunkenness, weighed down with the cares of this life, and weighed down with carousing, which is the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way. Luke 21:34-36.
Wow, Jesus must have seen right into our times and knew what would be happening, as the norm, for the majority of the people on the planet.
I don’t know about you but I don’t picture the Son of Man hanging with a bunch of drunken rebel rousers, do you?
He said we need to be watching and praying and it seems most are watching and participating. Participating would be enabling those around us to be part of a function that will end in a trap. A trap has an entry but no exit, this sounds like being caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Jesus said to pray that we would be able to escape, and a trap has no exit, so I guess eluding the trap would be our best way of escape. Amen!
If we are not partner to the carousing and drunkenness, to begin with, we allow ourselves and those around us a way around the trap.
If we stop worrying about what people think and start applying what Jesus said, our lives will be a witness instead of enablement of error.
I believe, all that is about to happen will be in direct relation to what is happening; because all that is happening is being allowed by the world and the world in the church. Jesus also had this view of our life and times.
We all must stand with and for Jesus like never before, stand together as a family of believers, stand as one another’s in Christ Jesus. If we don’t stand together now, standing with Jesus is just a figment of our imagination, another sobering thought.
Thinking about what Jesus said should be what we dwell on. Do you remember the ole WWJD days; the “What would Jesus do” days were unfortunately just a saying on a wrist band. We need to get real about what Jesus said. Amen!
Standing before the Son of Man is not going to happen with a bud light or a glass of wine in your hand. I know what you’re thinking, but remember what Jesus said about drunkenness and carousing. It hinders your ability to make the right decision in a critical situation, which is what is happening right now in our world.
If Jesus said to pray that we may be able to escape all that is about to happen, it must be worse than what is already happening. I know, sobering again.
Our ability to stand is based on our ability to remain in an upright position, sure-footed, supported by our need to please Jesus and that my friend – takes faith.
Look around you and identify who will be standing and who won’t. Get close to and hold onto those who have a solid foundation. Jesus said that the trap is set for all who live on the face of the whole earth. What a powerful statement!
If we do as Jesus said, we watch and pray, Jesus will show us how to avoid the trap. You see, the enemy of your soul is setting the trap hoping to catch you looking like everyone else in the world that is falling for the bait, and being trapped.
If we look away from all that is pulling us toward the world’s ways and look to Jesus, He will be the Author and Finisher of our faith. As we keep a watch over our hearts, He will strengthen us, as we pray and seek answers from the Word of God, He will deliver us, and we will be heeding the firm warning that He gave us, “Be Careful”.
Let’s be careful to give place to what Jesus said, read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with an open heart, looking closely at… “What did Jesus Say”? Asking ourselves what is He saying to me? You see, on that standing day it will be very personal and I want us all to be able to say, “I’m with Him”.
Say on, Jesus, I’m listening!
If you need a faith boost today, leave a comment and I will prayerfully respond.
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Scriptures of content and encouragement: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But I will leave you with a beautiful translation of Luke 11:36 – listen carefully.
“Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience”.
This truly is Amazing Grace!