Romans 13: 11 – 12
And do this since you understand the present time. It is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost over, and the day is drawing near. So let us put away the deeds of darkness and put on the weapons of light.
Dear Heavenly Father,
In your word, you instruct us to be ready and prepared because your Son will come again soon; however, this does not mean being afraid of what will happen. Instead, it looks to Jesus’ second coming with hope, joy, and peace. And as Paul warned, it was time to wake up from the sleep of apathy; each day we live is one day closer to paradise with you.
In this life, we live within the darkness of sin surrounding us, so as Paul said, we must put on the weapons of light, and Paul described those weapons in his letter to the Ephesians. We put truth around our waist like a belt, and righteousness is our breastplate. The gospel is on our feet, the shield of faith is to our front, and the helmet of salvation—your wisdom—protects us. Your word is the sword of the spirit firmly placed in our hands. We do not fight alone, but Jesus is at our side with his victory already won. He defeated the darkness on the cross and has beaten death for us so that through faith in Jesus, we, too, have life.
Jesus was the sacrifice that redeemed all our sins with his precious blood, and we have nothing to fear when Jesus comes again; instead, we stand ready. So please send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith with your word and, through your sacraments, keep us alert. Let our reaction be to share this good news with someone who does not know you that they will be ready when Jesus comes again. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
When you look around, you are in the fight of your life; evil is constantly encroaching. Stand alert, the Devil is on the prowl, but he has already been defeated by Christ—the Chosen One. Moreover, Jesus has forgiven all your sins, so by faith, we already stand as victors in the light.