ARE YOU READY?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

(Today's post is a reprint of an article I wrote in 1967 for a devotional magazine Power For Today)

Read 2 Peter 3:8-13

Bible Thought: "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching"
(Luke 12:37).

A YOUNG MAN had come with his sleeping bag to see the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Early in the evening he found a spot where he might spend the night. All night the crowds milled around the spot where he had chosen to rest, and so he could not sleep. Then morning came: As the sun began to shine brightly, he could stay awake no longer. In spite of the beat of the drums, and blowing of the bugles, he slept through the parade.

Jesus describes the attitude of the five foolish young women toward his coming. Together with the five wise girls they had gone to meet the bridegroom; but while he delayed, they fell asleep, and when he did return they were unprepared and "the door was shut."

Another attitude is that of the wicked servant who said, "My Lord delayeth his coming," and he began to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink wiith the drunken.

Like the young man at the parade and these persons described by Jesus, we can become distracted by the things that surround us and fail to be ready for that long awaited day. Are you ready?

Hymn: "There's a Great Day Coming."

O God, help us to hear, like some strong echo that will not die, that word of thine in which we are assured that "he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." In Jesus' name. Amen.
---Clifton L. Ditmore, West Covina, Calif.

(Before you leave today, scroll back down and read my review of John Maxwell's book, HowSuccessful People Think and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy)