2nd. July. 2020. Daily Devotion.

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 ‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:37-44

William Barclay told of the following fable:

‘There were three apprentice devils coming to earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, chief of devils, about how they would ruin men and women in their trial. “I will tell them there is no God,” said the first, but Satan was not impressed. “You will get some souls, but there are many who believe and will not change,” he said.

“I will tell them there is no hell,” the second said. But Satan was even less impressed with this plan. “Most people realize there is a hell,” he replied. “You will deceive very few like that.”

“I will tell them there is no hurry,” said the third. “Ahh,” said Satan, “now there’s a plan. Go quickly, for you will ruin countless thousands.”’

If we stay always prepared for Christ to come, it is no great burden. Those who are so attached to the things of this world that they cannot let Christ into their lives simply do not understand the joy of righteousness through grace. But we cannot rest on our laurels, so to speak.

We must stay ready, every minute of every day. We must love God today. We must love our neighbour today. And we must have faith that if we do all that we can to obey Christ’s teachings, His grace and mercy will keep us from our sin when the time of judgment arrives.

Prayers

Heavenly Father, I thank you this morning for all that I have. Even if I have problems with my health, yet I am alive today. If I have money problems, yet I will eat today. I have clothes to wear, a roof to protect me, air to breathe and a purpose of love.

Let me never take for granted the gifts of life, and always remember that they come from you; without you, the sun could not shine, nor the tree bear its fruit. I pray that I may live today with joy and thankfulness for what I have, remembering always who made me and who keeps me. Lord, increase my faith!

Father God, you endow the flowers of the field with their beauty and feed the birds of the air. Build up my faith to depend upon you entirely for every need and not on the things of this world nor on my own strength and ability. Not one day can be added to my life by worry. As my heavenly Father, you know what I need, and you provide it all. Help me to trust you to care for me. Lord, increase my faith!

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (Luke 17:5)

Father, even the disciples who walked with Jesus needed to strengthen their faith. Jesus told them if their faith were only the size of a mustard seed, they could uproot trees and remove mountains. Lord, I need faith like the disciples’ faith. Increase my faith and make me a mover of mountains. Strengthen my belief in you alone that, being strong in you, I may overcome the doubts which push into my mind. Lord, increase my faith! Amen.

Loving God, we thank you for your presence with your children through the anxiety of the COVID-19 situation.

Thank you for wise leadership and health authorities who guide us in making good decisions for our communities.

Thank you for doctors, nurses, medical researchers and technicians, and all those who are working to care for the sick and develop treatments for this illness.

Thank you for cleaning staff and caregivers and volunteers, and all who are working to keep our environments clean and safe.

Thank you for pastors, elders, neighbours, and friends who are working to care for those who are vulnerable, alone or afraid.

Thank you for the peace and comfort that comes from knowing that we are not alone. God, grant us patience as we wait; grant us courage as we serve you and care for one another; grant us hope as we trust in you for the future.

“O [People], hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem” (Psalm 130:7). Amen.

Amanda Currie Moderator GA Presbyterian Church in Canada.