TO CHEW ON: "'But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life and that Day come on you unexpectedly.'" Luke 21:34
In the days leading up to hurricane Sandy unleashing her fury on the eastern U.S. seaboard, residents got lots of warning. The advice, especially to those living right on the beach, was to evacuate. Many did, but some didn't.
I remember seeing interviews of folks who rode out the terrifying storm. When asked why they hadn't followed the evacuation orders, they said things like 'We've lived here for 40 years and always weathered the storms before. We didn't expect it to be as bad as it was.'
In today's reading Jesus predicts an end-time storm that involves more than nasty weather. He tells His disciples that a Day of brutal warfare against Jerusalem is coming (Luke 21:20-24). Space phenomena will accompany it, along with distress amongst nations and widespread fear (Luke 21:25-26). The return of Jesus ("'the Son of Man'") will climax this time.Then Jesus says: "'Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads...'"
But like those warned of Sandy, many won't take these words seriously. Instead their hearts will be "'...weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life...'" and the storm will catch them by surprise.
The seemingly increasing recurrence of natural disasters, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, economic upheaval, and national unrest has caused some prophecy watchers to suggest we are now in the time Jesus referred to: "'...when these things begin to happen.'" Are we taking Him seriously?
Though we may not be the partying type, the distraction of "cares" is something else.
["Cares - merimna. From meir 'to divide' and noos 'the mind.' The word denotes distraction anxieties, burdens and worries. Merimna means to be anxious beforehand about daily life. Such worry is unnecessary because the Father's love provides for both our daily needs and our special needs" - Dick Mills, Word Wealth, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1769.]
At this pivotal time in history, let's put those cares where they belong ("Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7) and keep our heads up and our focus clear.
PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to watch the times and discern the time we're in on Your calendar. Help me to give my daily cares to You and to keep free of being distracted by life's details. Amen.
MORE: A sobering observation
Joel Rosenberg in his book Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges In Time? draws the following conclusion in his chapter "The Natural Disaster Scenarios":
"While the Bible doesn't specifically tell us which natural disasters will hit which countries in the last days, Scripture clearly warns us that a wide range of game-changing, life-altering disasters will occur with growing frequency and intensity as we get closer to the return of Jesus Christ. We can currently see 'historic,' 'rare,' and 'unprecedented' disasters happening with growing frequency around the world and here in the United states. Furthermore, scientists say we are due for even more powerful and cataclysmic disasters" - Joel Rosenberg, Implosion, pp. 184, 185.
Amen, and thanks for this one too, Violet. (These posts are always good, but this and the last spoke louder than usual.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet! As you know, I am preaching to myself more than anyone else in these. December is an especially challenging month to keep myself care-free and focused on what's important!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know what you mean, on both counts. It's the same for me. I love how when we share what we're learning, God encourages others through it.
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