Be Ready!

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen,” (Matthew 24:36).

Jesus was encouraging and warning people to watch for the signs and be ready because we don’t know what will happen in the future. His Word is still warning us. Are we listening?

 A dad might say to his family, “I’m planning a wonderful vacation trip for us but I don’t have the details yet. Have your bags packed and be ready.” A coach would say, “We’re playing a good team in a few weeks, we’ve got to be ready.” A friend might say, “I’m coming to get you to take you out to eat. I’m not sure of the time yet but be ready.” We would respond favorably to these commands and look forward to them happening. We’d get ready.

Proverbs 4:25-27 (TLB) says, “Look straight ahead; don’t even turn your head to look. Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. Don’t sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.” As a former track coach, I can see this as someone running a race who has trained, (gotten ready), to run but must focus and be ready to avoid anything that would get them off the track, (path). The devil is always trying. Also, an athlete substitute on the bench, sidelines or dugout has to be ready to go in the game if the coach calls their name. They never know when they might be needed. Be ready. Isaiah told the Lord, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8). And we must be ready to witness or testify of God’s work in our lives.  “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” (1 Peter 3:15)

Then, there is the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Five were ready for the Bridegroom and five were not. They were told, “‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” (V. 12). Oh my!

The day might be today. The hour might be this hour. Are you ready? “Oh, I’ll wait to next week.” Don’t listen to that lie of the devil! If you’re not saved, if you’re not ready to meet Jesus in the clouds, get ready today!