A Change of Season
He will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. Just so, when you see the events I’ve described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. Matthew 24:31-33
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When leaves begin to curl and crimson starts to creep into the trees’ color scheme, it is a subtle sign that fall has arrived. When leaves float from majestic trees to the ground below and the air becomes crisp, it is an announcement that winter is approaching. We recognize these signs and adapt. We add heavier clothing to ensure that we will be warm and comfortable. We do not wish to be unprepared for what we know is certain to come. Jesus has promised that he will come back for his church. He described activities symbolic of an ordinary day—two women grinding grain and two men in the field, indicating that he will burst into our everyday existence. But we do not have to be unprepared for that wonderful day. Though we do not know the hour that the Lord will come, the Bible speaks of signs, both subtle and drastic, that announce his approach. These signs not only allow us to anticipate meeting our Savior, they also encourage us to prepare others for that day by sharing the gospel.
Prayers:
LORD, let it be forever settled in my heart that you are returning. Help me to be sensitive to the changing seasons, both in my life and in the lives of those around me. Help me to share your life with others who yearn to know more about you. Open my eyes to the signs that are all around me so that I might prepare for and anticipate your return.
Quotes:
The only way to wait for the Second Coming is to watch that you do what you should do, so that when he comes is a matter of indifference. It is the attitude of a child, certain that God knows what he is about. [Italics added.]
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Exodus 23:14–25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12 and Proverbs 7:24-27.
