“If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch.” (Matt. 24:43)
Expanded Passage: Matthew 24:43-44
Avid hunters are wise not to venture into the thicket without proper gear and tactics to keep themselves safe. They need to know what to do, what not to do, and what signs to watch out for when keeping wildlife predators at bay. Otherwise, an idyllic day in nature could turn into something quite disastrous.
Sin is sneaky, isn’t it? It doesn’t tend to stumble into our lives with crashes and bangs. Instead, it creeps, and before we come to fully realize it, it has pounced, and we are in dire need of help. Jesus used the analogy of a thief and an unprepared homeowner. Just like a thief, Christ’s return will come at an unexpected moment. When the moment arises, we do not want to be caught by sin. So how can we become masters at recognizing its schemes?
Like the novice studying for their firearms safety test, we should be reading the study guide, God’s Word, and properly preparing ourselves in devotion and prayer. This is the most effective way we can keep watch for moments when sin may try to creep in. We cannot expect to become experts without studying; that is how we learn the right answer from the wrong! No matter how long we’ve practiced these spiritual disciplines, there is always more that God can teach us.
Let’s prepare in devotion and prayer today.
Shannon Fraser is a Kingswood University (NB) graduate who enjoys wedding photography and being involved in her local church. She resides with her husband in Canada.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
