Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 24:36-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Verse 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, Verse 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Verse 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Verse 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Devotion
Matthew tells us to be watchful, not immersed in material things. We define the rat race as the pursuit of the beautiful, wrinkle-free life. With no winners, the result of running and losing takes a heavy toll.
The balance sheet has two sides: one is money and possessions, the other is relationships. Choose the rat race and fractures appear in relationships—the pursuit of the good life leaves many broken relationships.
The way we measure our success indicates the race we have chosen to run. May we never be so immersed in the use of time that we forget eternity. Never let worldly affairs detract from remembering there is a God and the issues of life are in God’s care. Then relationships will find us ready.
Prayer
Help us, Lord, to learn from you. Keep us from envy of world prosperity. Remind us of the assurance of your coming. Amen.