Looking To The Second Coming Of Jesus
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Hebrews 10 and Psalm 146 (NIV)
(Celine Sia, SGM Assistant Zone Leader)
READ:
Reading Hebrews 10 (NLT) post-Christmas Day, it is the second half of the chapter that speaks to me. After reading the first half, which explains why Jesus, born in a human body, sacrificed Himself for all mankind, the rest of the chapter reminds me that, “…in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away”. (v37)
OBSERVE:
Jesus is coming again soon, and in His second coming, He will not be coming as a baby in a manger. Instead, verse 29 gives me pause to think “how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God…” Without the blood of Christ for which I am deeply thankful, “there is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgement and the raging fire that will consume His enemies” (v27).
I am to persevere in “patient endurance” (v36), “for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (v23) of a “great reward” (v35). In the face of any “public ridicule” (v33) as I live out my faith every day, I will “accept it with joy”, knowing that there will be “better things waiting” for me “that will last forever” (v34). “Now that the day of His return is drawing near”, what does it mean for the things I focus on each day?
APPLY:
I am so grateful to God for the gift of Jesus. I do not want to deliberately sin when I now know the truth. While in this world where sin is often celebrated, I will need to persevere in living out my faith authentically. I am thankful for the Body of Christ, that I have a community of faith to motivate me to acts of love and good works. In these last days, I want to live according to God’s purposes.
DO:
As I read God’s Word each day, I will strive to obey what He tells me to do, or not to do. Even under pressure, real or perceived, of societal expectations and of its so-called norms, I will stand firm for what God represents, with the help of the Holy Spirit. I will seek the Holy Spirit’s prompting to engage in acts of love and good works, including sharing the Good News, as time is indeed short for those facing a Christless eternity.
PRAY:
Father God, thank You for Jesus whom we celebrate joyfully at Christmas. Let all that I am praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. (Psalm 146:1,2)
Post-Christmas, help me, Lord, to constantly look to Jesus’ second coming. Help me, Holy Spirit, to stand firm in my faith and to obey Your Word, no matter what. I don’t want to put my confidence in powerful people (v3).
Point me in the direction of the good works that is Your will for me to fulfil each day, and give me the courage, strength, and perseverance to carry them out faithfully.
In Jesus precious name, I pray, Amen.
