LHM Devotion - August 16, 2018 - There's Danger in Forgetting

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"There's Danger in Forgetting"

Aug. 16, 2018

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

~ John 3:36 (ESV)

An old story goes around the religious circles every few years.

It tells of a council the devil called in hell. At this meeting, the demons debated the merits of which method was best in stealing souls from the Savior.

One of them said, "I will go to the earth and tell everyone the Bible is a myth."

Satan smiled and nodded approvingly, saying, "Not bad. Some people will believe it, but I think we can do better."

Another said, "I will tell people there is no God, no Savior, no hell, no heaven."

"A distinct improvement," said his royal lowness.

But another received a standing ovation when he shared: "I believe we need to be clever. Let's tell people there is a God and there is a heaven and there is a hell and there is a Savior. But let us also tell them there's no hurry. They are young, and they have time to think of such things when they're old. Let us tell them that Judgment Day hasn't come for thousands of years and is not likely to arrive in the next five minutes."

Now, lest you've missed the point, let me say all of these demonic devices have been working quite effectively for centuries.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt the most effective tool in Satan's collection is that which says, "There is no rush to be ready."

That's why the apostle warns, "Be ready!" Because you will have to appear before Jesus, the divine Judge; you will have to "appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10a).

So, how do we get ready?

We can learn from some people who, even as this devotion is being prepared, are at work and are ready. These people are watching for things that might happen.

* The highway patrol is watching the traffic. The officers are keeping an eye out for accidents and breakdowns.

* Firemen are listening for a bell to ring. Ambulance attendants are sitting ready for the phone to summon them.

* Nurses are monitoring their patients.

These people are prepared. They are showing us that readiness is an ongoing thing to which a person must be committed. But, consider what happens if someone is unprepared. Consider,

* what would happen if an air-traffic controller should get too sleepy or too bored to keep a careful watch on his screen;

* what would happen if a high school bus driver becomes drowsy after a late-night game.

The danger of forgetting, of becoming negligent, is simply too great. We must be ready to welcome the Savior; we must be prepared to be taken to our heavenly home.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there can be no preparedness for our last hours without Your presence. Grant that we may always rely on You who gave Your life for our salvation. In Your Name we pray it. Amen.

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An old story goes around the religious circles every few years.