Young People's Group

BEING COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS

by Pastor Mitch
March 25, 2012

Taking Heed To Ourselves

Family camp 2012 was a wake-up call for all who were there. As we listened to the word of God preached, our hearts were deeply concerned not only for our own salvation but also for the salvation of loved ones who still do not know the Lord. We studied about the great tribulation that the Lord Jesus as a righteous Judge would bring on this earth. The challenge was given to all to be ready for His second coming. In the text of Luke 21, the Lord Jesus emphasized this to His disciples.

“But take heed to yourself, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” 
Luke 21:34-35

The phrase “take heed” is an imperative. We are meant to obey the Lord’s command to take heed to ourselves. We are to guard ourselves carefully because if we do not, we could become caught up and distracted with the ways and lures of the world. Many will become burdened by the cares of life and they will not be ready when Christ comes. The challenge for us is to take heed at all times.

The Challenge To Watch And Pray

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 
Luke 21:36

The Lord also commanded His disciples to be watchful. If Christ is coming at a time when we least expect it, we want to be constantly on the “lookout”. He will come as a thief in the night. We do not want to be caught unaware. The Lord Jesus wants us to be spiritually awake and alert. He wants us to watch and pray consistently. When we keep vigilant and faithful to the Lord, we would be counted worthy by Him to escape the great tribulation that is to come. It does not mean that our watching and praying is going to affect whether we are saved or not. The idea being brought across by the Lord is that when we actually watch and pray with faith and perseverance, He would be pleased with us. He would deem us truly worthy of His salvation and we can rejoice as we stand before Him in heaven.

Following The Example Of The Lord Jesus

“And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.” 
Luke 21:37

The Lord Jesus did not just teach about the concept of watching and praying. He sought to practise this discipline constantly. The Lord would often withdraw to the wilderness to pray (Luke 5:16). Before He selected His apostles, He went up to the mountain and continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12). There was another occasion when He took Peter, John and James and went up to the mountain to pray before He was transfigured (Luke 9:28). In this text from Luke 21, we can also safely conclude that He was up in the mountain praying. He would teach during the day, but at night, He would be communing with His Father. The Lord demonstrated to us how we should watch and pray. Let’s follow His great example. Let’s keep on watching and praying until He comes for us.

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