Let Us Not Sleep as Others Do

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Let Us Not Sleep as Others Do

When we’re sound asleep,  we don’t have a clue  about what is going on around us.     We’re in our own dreamland,  experiencing dreams  that are not real.     If our house is being looted,  it would be better  for us  to be awake.     Paul used the comparison  of being asleep or awake  to teach us  to pay attention  to what is happening  in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6,

For you yourselves  know full well  that the day of the Lord  will come just like a thief  in the night.     While they are saying, “Peace and safety!”  then destruction will come upon them suddenly  like birth pangs  upon a woman with child;  and they shall not escape.

But you,  brethren,  are not in darkness,  that the day should overtake you  like a thief;  for you are all sons of light  and sons of day.     We are not  of night  nor of darkness;  so then  let us not sleep  as others do,  but let us be alert  and sober.

The world is described as being  in the night.     They are all so content  with their sinful ways,  striving to become rich and famous,  and just living it up.     Not one of them gives a second thought  to the coming of Judgment Day.     As a matter of fact,  they mock and laugh  at the very thought  of being judged  for anything they do.     They think anyone  who mentions Judgment Day is just a fool — a religious nut  of some sort.

But,  when Paul calls us “all sons of light  and sons of day”,  he’s reminding us  that we have already been shown  how God keeps His promises.     All the prophecies  of a Savior came true  in Jesus Christ.     Since God kept His promise  of a Savior,  what should make us think  He won’t keep His promise  of a Judgment Day?

Just because most everybody  in this world  does not want to think  about the upcoming Judgment Day  is no reason for us  to dismiss this promise of God.     Paul warns us  to “be alert and sober”.     In other words,  we are not  to be lulled  into leaving God out  of our day-to-day living.     The way we think,  act,  and pray  all need to be based  on the fact  that we don’t have a clue  when Judgment Day will be here.

It very well could be today.     If today just happens  to be our last day  on this earth,  we still need  to be ready — even though the big Judgment Day comes later.     The apostle John also told people  to be ready.     In 1 John 2:18  he wrote,  “Children,  it is the last hour.”

In this last hour, we are to be totally awake  and aware  of the dangers  of false doctrines,  liberal policies,  godless living,  our sinful natures,  and everything else  that will make us “fall asleep” and forget about God.

We cannot afford  to let this world lull us  into their dreamland  of claiming  that  “I’m okay, you’re okay.     Let’s just all get along  and forget about God.”      As tempting as that may be,  it is the lazy man’s way out.     The coward will also go  with the flow,  just so long as he doesn’t have to stand up  for anything.

But,  we are to be like soldiers,  awake and standing strong  in the truth.     As we face whatever battles come our way,  Hebrews 13:5-6  reminds us,

He Himself has said,  “I will never desert you,  nor will I ever forsake you,”  so that we confidently say,  “The LORD is my helper,  I will not be afraid.     What shall man do  to me?”

God has not promised  that the battles will be easy.     He has promised  to be with us  and to strengthen us as we learn  to lean on Him.

As we trust and obey,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  keep me ever mindful  of the dangers  in this world.     Let me always remember Your love  for me  on the cross  and Your resurrection power.    You have repeatedly proven Yourself trustworthy  for my sake.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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