ESOCS Devotional 12 June 2023
MEMORY VERSE: “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33
TEXT: MARK 13:28-37
28 Now learn a lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts forth its leaves, you recognize and know that summer is near.
29 So also, when you see these things happening, you may recognize and know that He is near, at [the very] door.
30 Surely I say to you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at that one time) positively will not perish or pass away before all these things take place.
31 Heaven and earth will perish and pass away, but My words will not perish or pass away.
32 But of that day or that hour not a [single] person knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.
34 It is like a man [[c]already] going on a journey; when he leaves home, he puts his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and he gives orders to the doorkeeper to be constantly alert and on the watch.
35 Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming—in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning—
36 [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.
37 And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Reviewing our text today, Christ was not talking to His disciples and Israel only, but to the Church also (vs. 37). Speaking on troubles and persecutions that believers shall pass through; Jesus, in Matt. 24: 4-12 told His disciples of the deceits, battles, attacks, disasters, arrests, hatred and even death that most believers shall experience. He revealed that the love of many believers will eventually grow cold, but encouraged all to hold on to the end. Holding on to the end will lead to salvation.
In his second letter to Timothy; Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, wrote “Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.”
There is no doubt, the times spoken and written about by Christ and Paul respectively is right with us now. Our positions as believers are being taken for granted by so many. So many have given up their hope and so many shall give up theirs very soon. Finding ourselves in a period like this, we should take very seriously Christ’s admonition in Mark 13:33, “Be on watch, be at alert, for you do not know when the time will come” (GNB). But unfortunately, instead of being in a state of watchfulness, seasoned by prayer, we now find ourselves meddling with unnecessary rivalries and activities that cannot support our growth spiritually. Secular songs are now the rave of the moment in Churches and Christian gatherings and events. All these are as a result of relaxing and the love of so many waxing cold. It is high time we re-ignited the flame of the spirit of God in us. Relaxation at this time and age will lead to a disastrous end. This will be regrettable. Don’t relax yet; remember, Christ’s promise in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” There is a prepared mansion for a good relaxation for you at the end of the race. Be rest assured and strive on.
- Do you believe Christ’s promise of a mansion for your relaxation? If yes, then don’t relax yet.
- Pray God to grant you the grace to strive on, despite all odds.
FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 1:1-8; Ezekiel 26:1-14; Acts 5:12-26
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ESOCS Devotional 12 June 2023
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