February 3rd Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

MORE ABOUT THE LAST DAY – PART 1  

Matthew 24:36-41 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” 

In today’s devotional verses, Jesus reminded His listeners that the people at the time of Noah, although God had given them many warnings over a 120 year period of time that He would destroy the world, ignored God’s message to them to repent. They persisted in their sinful ways even as the rains came down, the water boiled up from beneath the ground, until they died in their sins. 

This section of Matthew serves as a warning today. This world will come to an end. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) Today’s world leaders may think they are in charge, but they are not. Today’s billionaires may think that the accumulation of wealth is what life is all about. Your upcoming golf game, pickleball court reservation, or your dream vacation is a high priority, but they are not.   

Jesus’ words are a reminder and a warning to you, “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.”  

For your meditation and to give you a right perspective for your life Jesus asked this rhetorical question, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:36-38) 

Prayer: Lord, help me to always be spiritually prepared for the day Your Son returns to judge the living and the dead. In His holy name. Amen. 

The day is surely drawing near   
When Jesus, God’s anointed,  
In all His power shall appear   
As judge whom God appointed.  
Then fright shall banish idle mirth,   
And flames on flames shall ravage earth   
As Scripture long has warned us.  

Then woe to those who scorned the Lord   
And sought but carnal pleasure,  
Who here despised His precious Word   
And loved their earthly treasures!  
With shame and trembling they will stand  
And at the judge’s command  
To Satan be deliver. 

May Christ our intercessor be  
And through His blood and merit  
Read from His book that we are free  
With all who life inherit.  
Then we shall see Him face to face,  
With all His saints in that blest place  
Which He has purchase for us.  

The Day Is Surely Drawing Near // LSB 508 (vs. 1, 4, 6)