SUDDENLY!

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

SUDDENLY!

Mark 13:34-37

34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.  35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

           Three weeks ago everything was fine! Then, SUDDENLY, nothing was fine. We find ourselves under global house arrest and, those of us who have a strong work ethic, find it difficult to comply.

           The word “suddenly” appears 41 times in our Authorized Version and seldom does it announce good things. Always it issues a warning to be properly prepared. We seldom are! Emergency rooms are a testimony of our lack of vigilance and preparation for the unexpected. Trauma centers offer a dramatic and graphic reminder of man’s casual carelessness.

           “Preppers” are often laughed at for their perceived paranoia. Yet the Bible warns us 41 times that things can SUDDENLY take a drastic turn and almost always for the worse. We do not know when the master of the house is coming. It may be in the evening while watching a lovely sunset on the back porch or at midnight, when the calendar turns a page. The rooster may crow His arrival at daybreak. We just don’t know when He is coming and it will be SUDDEN.

           I know of nobody who can remain sinless just by trying. Therefore, I recommend that we repent early, forgive speedily, and prepare diligently.

Dear Lord, the sun is not yet awake, and we do not know what this day will bring. Please bring relief from our current calamity and confinement. Watch over those who are alone an lonely. Supply those with limited resources. Help us to recognize your daily miracles and to praise you in the dark. AMEN