Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – July 14, 2016

matthew24-4

Deuteronomy 3:18–28; Romans 9:19–33; Matthew 24:1–14

Doom and gloom prophecy can be unsettling. In our time, it comes through Hollywood disaster movies. Everything from a zombie apocalypse to a gigantic, “natural” disaster involving sharks and tornadoes. In our Gospel Reading, Jesus foretells an end to the world that unsettles the minds of his disciples. They come to find out the particulars. As we read through the list of events that Jesus foretells, the news is not good for Christians.

Hallmarks of the end, such as endurance through the ever-increasing lawlessness of our day, and of being hated because we follow Christ, remind us that we need to strengthen and deepen our faith. The time and hour of the end-time is not known by anyone except God. Reinforcing our faith is the only safety net of grace. Because as Jesus reminds us, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

So our demeanor and attitude toward all of this need not be dread, but of increasing hope in the goodness and righteousness of God who will save his faithful people. Our good news is Christ and him crucified. No other news that confronts us from this world matters.

Prayer: Father, help me strengthen my faith to be ready for your future. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Randy Conley, Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake, MI.

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