As in the days of Noah …

Our ground-floor apartment will be vacant in a short time, and we have spread the word around for a good tenant.  Now there is a period of waiting. Anyone looking for a house in this part of town may drop by to see the house anytime.  Our friends can call at any time and bring someone by to see the house. How do we watch for the coming of the new tenant? Do we stand by the gate and wait for them to show up down the street? No.  Sometimes we may get a good and reliable tenant soon, but sometimes, it may take months. We have to keep the house clean and go on with our daily lives. That is how we watch for the second coming of Christ!  We do not have to be running after prophets or discerning the signs regarding the exact day of the Lord!  

How then should we wait?  

In the parable of the 'faithful servant and the evil servant' (Matthew 24:45-52), Jesus tells us how we should not wait. The evil servant who beat his fellow servants because his master was delayed in coming was appointed a place in hell where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth!  The Bible teaches us three things we have to be concerned with as we wait. Firstly, we have to be busy with our Father's business.  God has given us a great commission (Acts 1:8) to be busy with, to present Christ by our life and example.  Secondly, Jesus has taught us that we should put our faith into action by helping the needy, visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked ( Matthew 25:31-46).  Thirdly, God wants our hearts and minds to be holy just as He was holy, for, without holiness, we cannot see God. Holiness can be inculcated into our life only by reading and obeying the Word. Then we will have the fruit of holiness leading to everlasting life (Rom 6:22). Jesus has not left us in ambiguity but has told us how we can be ready since His coming will be sudden "as the days of Noah" (Matthew 24:37). 

My friend, do not be anxious because of the pandemic or the war in the middle east but diligently and actively follow Jesus' direction during this time of waiting.  Only then can we hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" ( Matthew 25:21)!

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