Daily Affirmations - Day 3 - If We Faint Not - Keep Watch
Day 3: Keep watch
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep (Matthew 25:5).
Sovereign God, in Your great mercy and wisdom, You saw fit to limit the days of humans when they chose, through rebellion against You, to invite hardship, chaos, death, darkness, and destruction into the perfect world You had created. You did not desire that they live forever in that miserable state.
And in the brief span You give us on this side of eternity, You provide the path to restoration and wisdom through Your Son, Jesus, who came to us with the mission to replace the darkness of this world with His light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Lord, You give us a sobering understanding of our decision to accept the light You offer, or to continue in the darkness of sin: In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).
In view of Your great love, and the consequences of neglecting so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3), You urge us to live not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Father, the philosophy of the world is often "Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die." But You call us to live not for ourselves, but for Your purpose: Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (Ephesians 5:17).
Your will is that we seek You and perhaps reach out for You and find You, though [You are] not far from any one of us. ‘For in You we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:27-28).
Loving God, You richly provide us with all things for our enjoyment. But You caution us against putting our hope in wealth (1 Timothy 6:17). You caution us against being choked by the deceitfulness of wealth or by the worries of this life (Matthew 13:22). You caution us against the soul slumber of debauchery, mindless entertainment, unfruitful activity, and worldly pursuits or preoccupations that are of no lasting value.
Teach us to live, O Lord! Teach us to live in Your gift of abundant life (John 10:10 - ESV). Help us to pay attention to Your words, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14).
Help us to be vigilant— to keep watch (Matthew 25:13) through the long night hours of this life. May we not be caught unawares at the close of opportunity— at the end of life, or at the end of time, in the stupor of sleep, with empty lamps and no oil— lost forever in darkness (Matthew 25:1-13).
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