This morning, while I was exercising in QC Circle, I saw people going about their own stuff. Some were jogging, dancing (zumba), biking, walking, dog-walking, talking, taking pictures, eating, I remembered the chapter I am currently reading for my devotion: Matthew chapter 24.

In this chapter, Jesus described the things that will happen when He comes again. It says in God’s Word that people will be like those in the days of Noah. Before the flood came, people were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage (v. 38)”. It simply means that people were doing the things they usually do. Noah preached to them and warned them about the flood that would come but they didn’t listen. They mocked him, laughed at him, and went about their own activities.

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” vv. 37-39

When Jesus returns, people will also be “business as usual”. Like this morning. People were busy doing their own stuff. It’s not wrong to continue with the things we normally do (that do not displease God). However, if we get so caught up in the things of the world that we don’t have time anymore to have fellowship with God or to even think about Him, that’s when it’s dangerous.

Jesus’ second coming will be a surprise for us all. Even Jesus Himself does not know. Only God the Father knows when it will be.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” v. 36

It also says in God’s Word that we have to be watchful. We have to be ready because Jesus will return in the midst of our busyness.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” vv. 42-44

We should be ready every day, every minute. We should always repent and pray.

“But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming…'” v. 48

I believe that we are already seeing the signs that Jesus mentioned. God is really just being gracious to us because He doesn’t want any of us to perish. He is still giving us a chance to come to Him.

“Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” v. 46

“Jesus also promised that we will be rewarded for our diligence. The servants serve the master, but the master knows how to take care of and reward the servants.” enduringword.com

To those who remain faithful while waiting, we must take refuge in the fact that God sees our sacrifices and He will not allow us to wait for nothing. We might think that our toil is useless because we see the wicked prosper. However, we should not lose heart. There is a reward for God’s children in heaven.

If His saints have rewards, those who disregard Him and His work will also receive a reward. They will receive what they deserve. The wicked servant in the story didn’t care about God. He just gave in to the desires of his flesh. God is just and his behavior has a corresponding consequence.

“…and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of the servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” vv. 49-51

Jesus will come again not as a Savior but as a judge. He will come to meet His saints in the clouds and to judge those who chose not to believe in Him.

It doesn’t mean that we will stop living our life and do nothing but pray. It’s just a reminder for us to be constantly on guard. Whatever we do should be glorifying to God. We have to keep our sweet, intimate communion with Him. We have to continue serving while we wait.

We should FIGHT FOR OUR TIME with God. Despite our busy schedule, we have to MAKE TIME for God. We have to force ourselves to set aside time to pray, to read God’s Word, to just have a fellowship with Him.

Sometimes I get so busy that I don’t even have time to be emotional. However, when I am prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray, I stop what I’m doing and I pray. It’s not always a long prayer. Often, it’s just a short one. As long as our prayer is from the heart, it’s enough. God sees the intention behind our words.

When the Holy Spirit convicts us to do something like pray or read the Bible, we have to obey. Nothing is more important than speaking with our Creator and Savior. When He tells us to pray, He will help us finish what we set aside to spend time with Him because He cares about us and the things that we care about.

I read a quote that goes, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy.”

There’s usually a lot of people in the park in the morning but there were more today because of the kids’ field trip. I was led to pray for everyone there. Usually, I pray for the people that are there but sometimes I forget. I was also reminded to pray for the park-goers all the time. May we not be apathetic to the Lord. May we be found by the Lord faithful and prepared when He returns.

“Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” — Charles Spurgeon