February 4th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

MORE ABOUT THE LAST DAY – PART 2  

Matthew 24:42-44 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” 

“Keep watch!” Fourteen times in the New Testament the phrase “keep watch” is used. It means to be vigilant and attentive. It is associated with standing fast, strong, and secure in one’s faith. Continuous spiritual readiness and alertness is important in a Christian’s life.  

St. Paul urges in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Peter urges, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” You need to be alert for the temptations of the evil in this world and for the fact that the world is in its end times. No one knows when it will come to an end. Jesus says in today’s devotional verses “. . . be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” 

Through weekly worship, frequent reception of the Lord’s Supper, daily reading and meditating upon the Holy Scriptures, development of a healthy, regular devotional life equips and brings you to spiritual readiness. Through these means the Holy Spirit calls you to faith in Jesus and keeps you in the true faith to life everlasting.   

Prayer: Holy Spirit, equip me with spiritual readiness, alertness, and vigilance not only for the daily attacks of Satan, the world, and my sinful flesh, but also for the day when Christ shall return. In His holy name. Amen. 

The Bridegroom soon will call us,
“Come to the wedding feast.”  
May slumber not befall us
Nor watchfulness decrease.  
May all our lamps be burning
With oil enough and more  
That we, with Him returning,
May find an open door! 

There shall we see in glory
Our dear Redeemer’s face;  
The long-awaited story
Of heav’nly joy takes place;  
The patriarchs shall meet us,
The prophets’ holy band;  
Apostles, martyrs greet us
In that celestial land. 

There God shall from all evil
Forever make us free,  
From sin and from the devil,
From all adversity,  
From sickness, pain, and sadness,
From troubles, cares, and fears,  
And grant us heav’nly gladness
And wipe away our tears. 

In that fair home shall never
Be silent music’s voice;  
With hearts and lips forever
We shall in God rejoice,  
While angel hosts are raising
With saints from great to least  
A mighty hymn for praising
The Giver of the feast.  

The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us // LSB 514

Text (st.1): ©1982 Concordia Publishing House. Used By Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198
Text (sts. 2-4): Public Domain