IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Be Always on the Watch and Pray

Date: Nov. 16, 2023

Passage

Luke 21:29-38 (ESV)

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 21:36

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Jesus does not want us to see the world negatively and despair at what is happening but have prophetic insight to see the world from God’s point of view, for the kingdom of God is near. As Jesus promised, he will surely come, though we don’t know when. So, we must be careful not to let our hearts be weighed down by the anxiety of life and fleeting pleasures of the world, for the day will come suddenly like a trap. Jesus wants us to be spiritually alert and ready for his second coming.

It is easy to take Jesus’ warning lightly and become complacent. Jesus says, “Be always on the watch and pray” so that we may be accounted worthy to escape God’s judgment and stand before Jesus. Jesus spent his last days by teaching the word at the temple every day and spent the night the Mount of Olives. People came to the temple early in the morning to hear the word of God from Jesus. Learning the word of God like the people and teaching the word of God like Jesus can be an effective way to watch and pray as we wait for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Learning and teaching the word of God enables us to stand before Jesus by overcoming the world.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, grant us spiritual insight to see the world from God’s point of view and enable us to watch and pray, waiting for our Lord’s second coming.

One Word: One Word: Watch and pray!

Daily Bread

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Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

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