Thoughts for the Day

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, 'There is peace and security', then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Church in Wales Lectionary, from New Revised Standard version

Thoughts

Have you ever had a spot inspection - a time when someone arrives unexpectedly to inspect your house, or your work? Spot inspections could happen at anytime when I was in the RAF, and I can remember one Sergeant holding up a towel and looking down the grain from top to bottom, where every mark could be seen.

The Day of the Lord may well be like this in its unexpectedness. It is a term used in the letter to the Thessalonians and in the book of Revelation to speak about the time when Jesus will return to our world to destroy evil completely. We have no idea if this will be a day, or a period of time, but Jesus speaks about us needing to be ready and alert as Christians for this to happen. Look at the follow-up thoughts today for a cartoon-style explanation of the "Day of the Lord".

Sunday 15th November, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
You have taught us
that You will return
to earth a second time
to bring in fully
God's Kingdom of love.
We do not know when
this will occur,
but keep us from sin,
and help us to be alert.
Amen.