Monday, October 7, 2024
How Long, O Lord?
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? (Psalm 13:1 NLT)
Christians have been asking variations of David’s question for two thousand years: How long, O Lord, will You delay Your return? How much worse does the world have to get? How many more prophecies must be fulfilled? How long will You make us wait?
As the apostles watched Jesus ascend to Heaven, two angels joined them. “‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!’” (Acts 1:11 NLT).
And the waiting began.
There’s no question about what’s going to happen. The Second Coming of Jesus is mentioned more than 1,800 times in the Old Testament and 300 times in the New Testament. One out of every 25 verses in the Bible mentions the Lord’s return.
Jesus said, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:3 NLT).
The question is, how do you feel about it?
Charles Spurgeon said, “The sound of His approach should be as music to our ears.” When you think about Christ’s coming, your heart should jump with excitement. If, instead, you feel dread or indifference, I would wonder where you are spiritually. The teaching of the imminent return of Jesus is a great barometer of your walk with God. When you’re right with God, you look forward to Christ’s return.
In fact, anticipating His return has a purifying effect on you spiritually. 1 John 3:3 says, “All who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure” (NLT).
Jesus is coming again. It’s our blessed hope. We live in a world filled with bad news. And you can find it 24-7 on the newsfeed of your choice. War is imminent. Our nation is unraveling. AI is making us rethink what’s real. It’s enough to stress out anyone.
But what did Jesus say? “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28 NLT).
Don’t panic. Look up.
The scary stories we see on the news are reminders that God keeps His promises and Jesus is coming back again. I’ve read the last page of the Bible. We win in the end.
Are you ready? Are you living in anticipation of Jesus’ return by honoring and trusting God, and putting Him first? Are you sharing the gospel whenever you have the chance? Are you living the life God has called you to live?
We may have many years left before Jesus returns. Or we may have a few. The timing is in God’s hands. Our job is to make every day count for the glory of God until then.
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