Daily
Devotional

Having been a widow for more than seven years now, I often enjoy spending time with friends. On a recent occasion, I had a nice dinner at a restaurant with a good friend, and afterwards we went out into the rainy night toward my car. Suddenly, a man stepped out from the shadows. He approached us and asked for assistance in getting some food. We were not expecting to be met in the darkness by a strange man, and were a little surprised, to say the least! Thankfully, all he wanted was help.

Later, as I thought back on the incident, I wondered how it will be when Jesus comes back to gather His saints. Scripture tells us that no one but God Himself knows the day or the hour of Jesus’ return, so it could happen at any moment. Yet, I do not believe I will be surprised or frightened when Jesus returns, as I was by the stranger in the dark parking lot. That is because I am always expecting it and prepared for Jesus’ return, even though I do not know when it will be.

Just before Jesus spoke the words of today’s focus verse, He told the parable of the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to come. The bridegroom came at midnight, but only five of the virgins were wise and prepared for His arrival—even in the middle of the night. Panic must have struck the five foolish virgins when they realized the bridegroom was coming and they were not ready! They were not prepared because they did not truly expect him to come at any moment.

There is no reason for us to be surprised or scared when Jesus returns, because we know how to be ready for His coming. If our sins are forgiven and our consciences are void of offense toward God and man, then we can look forward with great anticipation to the day when He will descend with a shout and gather His saints to be forever with Him. What a glorious time that will be! Considering the things that are happening on this earth, the Rapture could truly take place at any time. As the day approaches, let us all be expecting and ready for His coming.