[ Today's Readings ]
We are called to be ready to meet our judge. Meeting him can be terrifying if we are headed for the wine press of his fury. But it is not meant to be terrifying. It is meant to be so good that the heavens and earth themselves rejoice, that the sea and what fills it resound, that the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Even the trees of the forest exult.
Do we want to be a part of the party? Do we want want to celebrate when one like a son of man comes riding on the clouds wearing a golden crown? If we do we need to come to Jesus and stay with him. But it can't be imaginary. We need to be close enough to him that we aren't deceived when other people come in his name "saying 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'" Our relationship with Jesus needs to be real enough that we don't follow fakes. We need to be able to tell his voice from those of false prophets.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (see John 10:27).
This is absolutely essential. We need to get this down when times are good so that when there are wars and insurrections, earthquakes, famines, and plagues, we are not shaken. Our willingness to cling to Jesus will be tested. But if we know his voice and stay close to him he will shield and protect us.
We would rather know when these things will happen so that we can be sure we're ready at the last minute. But that doesn't work. We have to live it consistently. We have to respond to the invitation of Jesus day in and day out. If we do, we are unmovable no matter how we are tested.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
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