Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:37.

     God has always given men warning of coming judgments. Those who had faith in His message for their time, and who acted out their faith, in obedience to His commandments, escaped the judgments that fell upon the disobedient and unbelieving. The word came to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me.” Noah obeyed and was saved. The message came to Lot, “Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.” Genesis 7:1; 19:14. Lot placed himself under the guardianship of the heavenly messengers, and was saved. So Christ’s disciples were given warning of the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who watched for the sign of the coming ruin, and fled from the city, escaped the destruction. So now we are given warning of Christ’s second coming and of the destruction to fall upon the world. Those who heed the warning will be saved.

     Because we know not the exact time of His coming, we are commanded to watch. “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching.” Luke 12:37. Those who watch for the Lord’s coming are not waiting in idle expectancy. The expectation of Christ’s coming is to make men fear the Lord, and fear His judgments upon transgression. It is to awaken them to the great sin of rejecting His offers of mercy. Those who are watching for the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth. With vigilant watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at the door, their zeal is quickened to co-operate with the divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful and wise servants who give to the Lord’s household “their portion of meat in due season.” Luke 12:42. They are declaring the truth that is now specially applicable. As Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each declared the truth for his time, so will Christ’s servants now give the special warning for their generation.

Maranatha p. 36

“““““““““““““““““`

—–Please pray for D and family who are going through trials. L

“““““““““““““““““““““`

Dear Friends, 

A few years ago while I was at work, two couples came into our department at the same time.  Each had a little boy about three years old.  As their fathers were filling out their paperwork, I couldn’t help noticing the difference between the children and the difference in their interactions with their parents.

Boy P was everywhere at once. His favorite pastime was slamming our office door.  As soon as he slammed it, he would open it again.  Over and over he played his little “game.” His parents ignored him. Was he trying vainly to get some attention from them?  After waiting for his parents to make him stop, I finally told them that they needed to keep the boy quiet and make him sit down.  That worked for awhile but not long enough. 

Boy L, on the other hand, sat quietly between his parents.  Occasionally, he would ask his mother a question, but that was the only sound from him.  His parents were pleasant with him and one could see the bond of love between them.

One can only wonder what those two little boys’ future will be like. Jesus taught His disciples a lesson by using a little child as an example.  “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matt 18:1-4 No doubt, that little child was like Boy L and not Boy P. 

Our Dear Saviour went on to teach about our responsibility toward His young ones. “And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Verses 5, 6 Solomon had much to say about how children are raised and their future. “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Pr 20:11; 22:15; 22:6  

May we raise our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  Eph 6:4 May our Great Redeemer be able to declare of us as He did of faithful Abraham “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment.” Gen 18:19  May we, ourselves, be loving and obedient children of our Heavenly Father is my prayer.  

Rose

Blessings Upon the Watchful Ones
Tagged on: