Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 19-20; Luke 21:20-38.
Memory Verse: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36 (KJV).
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (KJV). The thief is always seeking for careless owners that can easily be dispossessed of his belongings. It is your responsibility as the owner to ensure you keep your possession safe while you watch over it.
As a child of God, there are many virtues that you have that the devil, the thief will like to steal such as your righteousness. The devil will make every plan to corrupt your manners by suggesting all sorts of evil plans to your heart, bringing all sorts of things your way that may tempt you to abandon your virtues. When Jesus Christ finished fasting for forty days, he was tempted of the devil ( Matthew 4:2-3). Since our Lord was tempted after fasting the disciple cannot expect anything less! Thus, you are to ensure you study the word of God continuously as that is what you can use to defeat the devil. In all the temptations of the Lord Jesus, his responses were based on the written word of God. In Matthew 4:4; he said, “it is written man shall not live by bread alone.” In Matthew 4:7; he said it is written again, ‘thou shall not tempt the Lord your God and in Matthew 4;10; he said it is written “Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall thou serve.”
How much of the word of God do you know so that when the devil brings any temptation your way, you can use it to stop him? Besides, you need to know the ways of the Lord so that you do not go astray and the main source of knowing God’s ways is through studying his word. When you study, meditate on it and memorise some key verses, you will be well equipped to live a godly way.
It is also the word of God that should form the basis of your prayer. So for you to pray effectively, you need to know God’s will which is contained in his word! It is therefore imperative that one studies the word of God regularly in order to live a life pleasing to him. Besides, Lord Jesus can come back anytime from now as most of the conditions for His second coming as stated in Luke 21:20-28 have been met. This is why the warning of our Lord and Saviour as stated in Luke 21:36 (KJV), “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” is more pertinent now than ever before. Take heed!
Action Point: Father, please help me to be watchful and pray always.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero