Are You Ready for the Lord? - The Crosswalk Devotional - September 27
The Crosswalk Devotional
Audio By Carbonatix
By Michelle S. Lazurek, Crosswalk.com
Are You Ready for the Lord?
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3
“Ready or not, here I come!”
I would shout these words with my friends as we played the classic game of hide and seek as kids. Whenever I went over my friend's house or got to choose what we played at recess, hide and seek was one of my favorites. Because I was so small, I could hide in various places around the playground or around my friend's house. With great anticipation, I waited as I heard my friend's footsteps coming frantically, trying to find me.
Once, I hid in my friend’s pantry and ducked under the high shelves filled with canned goods. When they couldn't see me, I hollered, “Here I am!” I ran to my friends, grinning from ear to ear at the realization I had tricked them into not finding me.
Although I would love to hide from God, regarding my deepest secrets and sins, God's omniscience and sovereignty always reveal them to me. He always knows exactly where I'm hiding: my thoughts, words, and deeds, both publicly and privately. The book of Revelation is a retelling of just that. God, seeing the church's deeds done both openly and privately, knows the places where they're strong, but also where they are weak.
The Apostle John writes the Book of Revelation as the prophetic uncovering of the church’s most extraordinary deeds. In a sense, the Book of Revelation is like John repeating those fateful words the person tasked with finding their hidden friends in the game of hide and seek must utter aloud: “Ready or not, here I come!”
But the Lord, in his sovereignty and grace, gives us ample time to get prepared. The book of Revelation is to prepare the body of Christ with the understanding that Christ will come back again someday. Although no one is sure exactly when he will return, Revelation is clear that the Lord will come down on the clouds and you will rise with him to spend eternity with him in heaven.
Although this will be a joyous day when we get to unite with our savior, we will also become accountable for all our deeds, both public and private. The worst sins are covered under the blood of Christ’s atonement; we will receive rewards in heaven based on how we choose to live our lives.
God gives John these visions of the seven churches because all of us can relate to and see ourselves in both the good and bad deeds that John reveals. The Book of Revelation is not meant to scare us or make us afraid of God. Rather, it is a warning to make sure we're living lives worthy of Christ both in thought and deed.
Take a moment and analyze the words John uses to both encourage and admonish each of the seven churches. First, John always tells them what they are doing well. Then, he lets them know the places where they are falling short. Then, he ends with other things that they are doing well that the Lord most enjoys.
It will be the same with us in the last days. The Lord will point out all the things that we did well. However, he will also hold us accountable for the reasons behind our actions. Whether we committed a particular act or refrained from standing up for doing what is right, all our deeds will be exposed and judged accordingly.
Although the Book of Revelation is targeted toward specific churches, take a moment and think about your own deeds. Would your thoughts be something that pleases him, or something for which he must admonish?
In Revelation, one thing is clear: Regardless of whether we understand fully the symbolism outline, God will one day return to be united with his children.
Are you ready?
Father, let us be people whose deeds are pleasing to you. Let us analyze our deeds, done both publicly and privately. Let my words and deeds be things that you would find attractive, and not ones that would prompt a letter of rebuke.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are there deeds in your life for which you need to repent? What can you do to do that?
Further Reading:
1 Thessalonians 4
Photo Credit: Pexels/JÉSHOOTS
Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.
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