ADVENT • 5

Are we prepared for His return?

This week’s readings exhorts us to be on guard, to stay awake and to be sober minded that we may stand before our Lord when he comes again

TO ACCOMPANY YOUR LECTIONARY READINGS, LISTEN TO THIS SONG WHILE YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

reading for: 24 Nov

Luke 21:25-36

Staying awake for the coming of the Lord

  • READ

Luke 21:5-38 is made up of a series of teachings regarding the last days. In it, Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and warned his disciples of the dark times ahead (Luke 21:5-24). From Luke 21:25-36, Jesus then proceeds to speak of his second coming and the importance of being vigilant. Let’s take a closer look at Luke 21:25-36 today.

According to Jesus, the signs of his coming will be very obvious. We do not know exactly when Jesus will return, how he will return and where will his second coming take place. But we do know that the sun, the moon, the stars and all of the earth will tell of his coming and we will see him coming (v25-27). In short, it is possible to miss Jesus’ first coming but it is impossible to miss his second coming. And when these things happen, we are not to be afraid but to rejoice at his return because our redemption has come (v28).

Jesus then tells a parable to hammer home his message (v29-31). We know spring, summer, autumn and winter is near simply by observing the changes in the trees. In the same way, we know that the Kingdom of God is near and the return of the Son of Man is at hand when we see the signs that Jesus spoke of. And we are assured that these words that Jesus have spoken will not pass away (v32-33). It is going to happen and nothing will stop it.

Finally, Jesus ends his teachings on the last days with a stern warning. Let us read it in full:

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36, The Message).

  • REFLECT

    The teachings of Jesus about the last days essentially boils down to one main point: Be on guard and stay awake! Jesus’ message is clear. He is coming back again and there is no stopping it. The question is – are we prepared for his return? Are we spending our days carelessly with no regards to that Day? It is coming and it will come upon all of us.

    It is in light of this truth that we are told to be on guard, to stay awake and to pray so that we may be able to stand before the Son of Man on that Day. Falling asleep at the wheel can lead to dire consequences, including death. The stakes are high and none of us can afford to lose. Losing means suffering eternal consequences. Are you and I keeping watch and praying?

    How can we as a LG, kampong and church keep each other awake? And are we commited to praying for one another so that each of us can stand before the Lord on that Day? The year is coming to an end and for us Christians, we are entering into Advent, the start of a new Christian calendar. Now is a good time to pause and to take stock of our lives. How have you been living? Would you take time away to be with the Lord to hear him?

reading for: 25 Nov

Psalm 19:7-14

Meditating on the Law of the LORD

  • READ

    Psalm 19 is attributed to David and in it, he helps us to consider the glory of God that is displayed through creation (v1-6), the beauty of the law of the LORD (v7-11), and the proper response to such revelations (v12-14). For David, creation reveals the glory of God. The universe, the stars, the planets, the moon, the sun, the sky, the mountains and so forth points to the handiwork of a Creator. In other words, God is neither silent nor hidden. We can see and hear him through all of creation (v1-6).

    From v6-9, David wants us to know that the law of the LORD is complete and able to make us whole. His testimony is clear and provides us the wisdom to navigate life. The LORD’s precepts are the right medicine for our hearts. His commandments are good and shows us how to live. The fear of the LORD cleanses us and his rules are trustworthy so we can build our lives on it.

    Thus, the Word of God is of infinite worth and it tastes much sweeter than honey (v10). Moreover, by keeping God’s Word, it will keep us safe and reap us eternal dividends (v11). All of this revelation greatly humbles David. He realizes his own sinfulness and how little he really knows of himself. Can he even truly discern his own faults? He may well have sinned against God without knowing and can only humbly ask for God’s forgiveness (v12).

    And so David prays that God will save him from himself and from becoming a slave to sin so that he may remain blameless and clean before God (v13). Finally, David ends with a humble and sincere prayer to God - “let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (v14).

  • REFLECT

    In a fast-paced society like Singapore, we hardly have the time to stop to consider the glory of God revealed through creation. David saw and caught something that is easily missed in our hurried lives. When was the last time you experienced silence and was alone with the Lord? When was the last time you stopped in your track to behold the beauty of creation and stood in awe of the glory your eyes are laying upon?

    We will only know that he is God when we are stiil. Perhaps when we finally slow down and learn to be still, we will be able to confess as David did that his laws are complete, his testimony is clear, his precepts are right, his commandments are good and his rules are trustworthy. Do we not desire to be made whole? Do we not desire to gain wisdom to navigate life? Do we not desire the medicine that will cure our failing hearts? Do we not desire to know how to live? Do we not desire to build our lives on solid rock?

    Let us humbly turn to the Lord in repentance and to His Word that we may find the life that we have been searching for. His Word will keep us safe and it will save us from ourselves. May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of our God. May you and I be found to be blameless before the Lord.

reading for: 26 Nov

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Supplying what is lacking that we may stand before the Lord

  • READ

    We know from Acts 17:1-4 that Paul, Silas and Timothy travelled to Thessalonica to preach the gospel. Their mission was going well and they were experiencing fruitful ministry (1 Thess 1:9-2:1-16). However, due to persecution (Acts 17:5-8), they were forced to leave prematurely (Acts 17:9-10). As a result, Paul separated from Silas and Timothy, and went towards Athens (Acts 17:14-15).

    Due to their premature departure from Thessalonica, Paul, Silas and Timothy were unable to complete their usual instruction for new believers in the fundamentals of the faith. Hence, Paul was concerned and sent Timothy to Thessalonica to continue instructing the new believers in their faith, lest they fall away (1 Thess 3:1-2, 5). Thereafter, Silas and Timothy caught up with Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:5) and Timothy was able to update Paul on the Thessalonian church (1 Thess 3:6).

    And so today’s reading begins with Paul’s thanksgiving for the good report he had received from Timothy (1 Thess 3:9). He prays for God to make a way for him to see the Thessolonians again so that he can supply what is lacking in their faith (1 Thess 3:10). What was lacking in their faith? The most prominent theme in 1 Thessalonians is the second coming of Jesus. It is mentioned in every chapter of the book (1:10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23-24).

    Thus, we can surmise that what was lacking in their faith most likely had to do with the second coming of Christ and the final resurrection (1 Thess 4:13-18). Paul probably did not had the time to properly instruct the new believers on the second coming because of his premature departure. Therefore, Paul prays that he will be able to revisit the community (1 Thess 3:11) and that the Thessalonians will abound in love for one another (1 Thess 3:12) so that they may be blameless in holiness when Christ returns (1 Thess 3:13).

  • REFLECT

    Paul was concerned that the Thessalonians would be misinformed regarding the second coming of Christ. Hence, he prayed earnestly night and day for God to make a way so that he can return to Thessalonica to supply what was lacking in their faith. He interceded for them and prayed that they would be blameless and holy before the Lord when He returns together with all his saints. In 1 Thessalonian 4-5, Paul would continue to urge the Thessalonians to live a life that is pleasing to God and to be sober in light of that Day.

    The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. It will be sudden and if we are not prepared, we will be caught completely off guard. Today’s reading is yet another reminder on the certainty of Christ’s return. The second coming is inevitable. Are we on guard? Are we awake? Are we sober minded? When Jesus comes back, will we be able to stand before him? Will we be found faithful and blameless? Will our lives be deemed pleasing unto Him? On that day, all of us will have to give an account and answer for how we’ve lived.

    What is lacking in your faith today? The year is about to end but let us not forget the Word that God had given to CNL through pastor Terence at the beginning of the year.

     “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11).

    Will you make every effort to supplement what is lacking in your faith? The eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is wide open. Will we respond to the Lord’s call and move together with him? God has given us all that we need to live a life that is pleasing to him. We will be able to stand before Jesus on that Day. As you meet for LG tonight, whether in person or over zoom, share with them what is lacking in your faith. Pray and intercede for one another. Commit to provoking one another to love and good works until that Day.

reading for: 27 Nov

Psalm 25:1-10

Looking to the Lord until the Day he rights all wrong

  • READ

    Psalm 25, a psalm of David, begins by refocusing our gaze. David recognizes that life has its fill of challenges and difficulties. And in times of distress and trouble, we must look to the LORD (v1). Only he is able to deliver us and keep us safe from our enemies (v2). David expresses his confidence that those who wait upon the LORD will not be found wanting (v3).

    David then appeals to God for guidance and forgiveness (v4-7). David desires to know the ways of God and the manner of life that would please him. He pleads with God to remember his sins no more and to have mercy on him. He is sure that God will do so because of his steadfast love and goodness. Finally, David acknowleges that God will instruct and correct all who humble themselves and keeps his Word because he is faithful (v8-10).

  • REFLECT

    In times of distress and trouble, it is natural to seek for rescue, refuge and relief. The question is – Who is able to rescue us? Where can we go to find refuge? When will we receive the relief we so desperately need? Psalm 25 reminds us that God is able to rescue and that he is our refuge. And while we do not know when relief will come, we are assured that we will not be disappointed if we put our trust in the LORD.

    Even in the midst of great adversity and suffering, David sought to know the ways of God and to live a life that is pleasing to him. When we are going through hardship, sometimes all we can see is our own misery yet David saw his own inadequacy and humbly asked for God’s forgiveness and mercy. He did not want to sin against God in his pain. And he had such faith that God will come through for him because he knows God is good and he is faithful. His steadfast love endures forever.

    Let us lift our soul to the LORD in our distress and trouble for he alone can rescue and save us. Let us not sin against the LORD in our pain and humbly ask for his forgiveness and mercy. May he guard our soul in the midst of our trials and make his paths known to us. May we receive his instruction and correction, and walk in a manner of life that is worthy and pleasing to him. His love will not fail us. He is good and faithful.

Season of AdventCNL