Marie’s daily verse:  I look up to the mountains—     does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2).

DAILY DEVOTION, September 11, 2024

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:3-4).

I remember 9/11/01 as if it were yesterday. I was on my way to the DHF office in Lovington, Illinois, when I heard what was happening on the radio. I turned around and went home. I couldn’t work that day. I spent the rest of the day glued to the TV. Scene after scene of horror unfolded. It was totally unexpected. Who would have believed that terrorists could attack our country with so much destruction? Today is the anniversary of that attack.

Paul speaks of another unexpected event for which many will be unprepared: the Day of the Lord, the return of Jesus. So many live in unbelief, and when Jesus suddenly appears, many will think, “This can’t be happening.” Those who live in the light of divine truth will not be surprised. It is the day that Christians have longed for through the centuries. 

Since we don’t know when Jesus will return, we must always be ready. The Master told us that He would return to this earth in triumph. We don’t know when it will happen. May He find us faithful if He returns in our lifetime. 

Father, I do want to be prepared when Jesus returns. If I should die before that event, I want to stand before You as a faithful Christian redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I don’t want to be spiritually asleep when Jesus returns. In His name, I pray, Amen.