How Will You Respond?

“In the history of New England, May 19, 1780, has become known for its supposed foreshadowing of of Judgment Day.

At noon the skies were turned from blue to gray, and by mid-afternoon they had become so black that men fell on their knees and cried out to God for mercy ere they went to their doom. On that day the Connecticut House of Representatives was in session. When the darkness fell by day, some began to shout and plead for mercy. Others demanded an immediate adjournment. The speaker of the house, Colonel Abrahan Davenport, called for silence. Then, he spoke.

“The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it’s not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish, therefore, that candles be brought.” – Andrew W. Blackwood, Expository Preaching For Today

There are a couple interesting points in this story.

One is the fact there were some who were pleading for mercy. I can only surmise that these people were living lives that they knew were an affront to God but didn’t take His word seriously. They thought the end was near and knew they were going to be found wanting. The parable of the ten virgins comes to mind. (Matthew 25:1-13)

The other of course is Davenport’s response. It was clear to him that he should be doing what he had been called to do when the Lord returns. This is in line with scripture which says:

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:42-44)

In light of the Judgment Day predictions that have been bandied about in the news recently, we should take heed that whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, we need to be doing for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Though the Bible is clear that we don’t know the time nor the hour which He is coming back as I talked about in my post The End of the World…I Think, we should still be ready.

The question I pose to you today is which of these two responses will you have at the Lord’s coming?

Guessing doesn’t count and there is no gray area.  Choose you this day who you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  (Joshua 24:15)