Remain Watchful
Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to be filled with your love.
Read Mark 13:32-37
Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.
Respond with a prayer to God
So many of us are busy preparing for this time of year – shopping for Christmas gifts, baking, cooking, etc. We are caught up in the busyness of the season and forget to be hopeful and watching. I am guilty of all of this. I tend to forget that what I truly need to do in this season of hope is to watch and wait with eagerness. It is easy for me to put the study of God’s word at the end of my to-do list. Living as Jesus taught us to live is much more important than the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. This is a time of hope and a time to be waiting for his return. We will not know when that time will come. As Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (vs. 32) This is a time to slow down and focus on what God has done and does for us. We need to understand what God has done for us in the past; take comfort in what he is doing for us in the present and hold on to the hope he has given us for the future – Jesus’ return.
My verse: Mark 13:36-37, “If he comes suddenly do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
God does not expect us to never sleep. We need to have rest to care for ourselves so that we can care for and tell others about Jesus. To live as he has taught us. Mark 13 tells us how to live: do not be misled by false prophets; do not be afraid of persecution, but share the word of God and the good news of Jesus’ return. We need to follow God’s commandments – to be morally alert and to love one another.
My response: Jesus, thank you for your guidance and reminder of what is most important, not only during this season of Advent but every day of our earthly lives. Help me to be watchful each day and rejoice in the hope of your return. Amen.
