Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 6:13, Now the people of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
There is an interesting observation to be had in reading this verse. The Ark of God had been taken hostage by the Philistines, and had been gone for some time. However, we do not read anything that tells us that the Israelites sought to either inquire about its whereabouts or about whether they had formulated any plans on how to get it back. Here, the Ark reappears to them, as they labor, taking them by surprise. The sudden appearance to them was a joyful event. Will Christ’s sudden reappearing be a joyful event for us who are called by His Name? Will we be able to stand before Him unashamed for what we might be doing when He appears? 2 Peter 3:10-12 reminds us, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” Jesus’ return will be take us by surprise. Not a single person alive knows the exact date and time of His return, and anyone who claims to know is a liar. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” That being said, how are we supposed to be waiting for the Lord? In the verses we already read, particularly 2 Peter 3:11 & 12, we are encouraged to be living holy, meaning set apart, morally blameless, lives. Not only are we to be living in holiness, but we are to be living vigilant and focused lives, looking for His coming. This means that we are supposed to be diligently laboring in the things that will glorify God. It was a good thing that the Israelites were diligently laboring to provide for themselves and their families, as God says this is an honorable thing to do. 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” However, what were they doing to encourage others to believe in the Lord or seek Him? If we are working to provide for our families, it is a good thing. My question to all of us is, “What are we doing, while we work to provide for our families, to encourage others to believe in Jesus and seek an intimate relationship with Him?” What foolish things are we wasting our lives with? What spiritually meaningless things are we preoccupied with that are robbing us of time and opportunities to be a blessing to others? How are we demonstrating our faith in what we are doing, when we are not laboring to provide for our own? Are we wasting time in front of the television or on social media? There is nothing wrong with enjoying things that are entertaining, but are they taking preference over the things of God? I often see Christians who are willing to practically freeze to death at a football game, but make excuses as to why they cannot be at a church service on Sunday morning. Are we wasting our time on useless arguments about things that seem spiritual on the surface, but really matter little in respect to someone’s salvation? My dear brothers and sisters, are we wasting precious time on foolishness, knowing that the Lord could come back at any moment? Ephesians 5:15-17 clearly encourages, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Let us stop right now and consider our lives. What are we accomplishing for the Kingdom? Have we allowed earthy gain and goals to supersede our command to go and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15)? Are we so focused on the things of this world that we have stopped living for God? Are we so concerned with our life here on earth, that is like a vapor (James 4:14), that we have abandoned what is really important, life eternal? Have our desires become more important than God’s will and blessings? What will we be found doing when Jesus returns? Will we react with joy or will we bow our heads in shame?
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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