Day 3: Understand the present time
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12).
Sovereign Lord, we praise You with the heartfelt praise of the prophet Isaiah: I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things He has done… according to His compassion and many kindnesses (Isaiah 63:7).
You show goodness, kindness, and compassion to Your people today, just as You did to Your people in past times. You give us unlimited help through this life, and a confident hope for the next.
The Lord Jesus promised His followers, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:2-3 - NKJV). In the meantime, You assured us, I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18).
And just as You promised, You gave us the Holy Spirit to come alongside us — the Spirit of truth — our Teacher, Guide, Comforter, Advocate, and Power of our power (John 14: 15-30, 15:26, 16: 12-15). Because You knew so well the turmoil, the dangers, toils and snares of this world, You gave us everything we need for a godly life through Your Spirit within us (2 Peter 1:3).
Lord, You have not left us to battle the darkness on our own. You have not left us defenseless to guard against slumber and complacency. You have not left us helpless to carry out the mission and and the work of Your kingdom.
You have given us the indwelling Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). You have given us Your wisdom, and truth. You have given us Your armor of light.
Help us, O Lord, to understand the present time (Romans 13:11). We do not know if our Lord Jesus will come again and receive us in this age. We do not know if earth's timespan is one more day, or millions more. But we do know that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11).
We do know that each hour takes us closer to the end of our earthly life — whether the end comes by Your return, or by our death. Help us to stay awake and alert, ever mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4 – NKJV).
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