2nd Shortest Verse
I think I am having one of those days where “I feel better than I sound.” After a better night of rest, I still felt pretty run down this morning. I am glad the I kept my scheduled doctor’s appointment. I think my primary care doctor was glad to see me for a “normal” illness. I hope to be making progress and be much better by tomorrow. That will be good since I have an appointment with my neurologist. I did feel well enough to get out and mow the lawn.
My doctor did have the results of my head and neck MRI. My brain looks good. I forgot to ask her if I can still use traumatic brain injury as an excuse. However, she did mention my C5 and C6 vertebrae were putting pressure on my spinal cord. It didn’t seem to be a major concern other than to what extent it may be related to nerve transmission to the muscles. My nerve conduction test tomorrow and next week will help get all that figured out.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32
The shortest verse in the Bible is found in John 11:35, it simply says, “Jesus wept.” It was Jesus’ emotional response as he stood at the tomb of Lazarus. The verse above would be then the second shortest verse with three words. Three words but words that carry a significant impact because they were from the lips of Jesus.
When Jesus alludes to this Old Testament account He is speaking of His return. When we look in the context we notice that the time just before Jesus returns will be time of great confusion.
“The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them.” Luke 17:23
There will be times when there is a great desire for the Lord’s return, but it will not happen. When the desire for the Lord to return is high, it makes individuals vulnerable for false Christs. This calls for patience and discernment.
Then we see that coming of the Lord will be sudden.
“For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” Luke 17:24 “…in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left.” Luke 17:34
The suddenness of the coming of the Lord will find many off guard. They will be preoccupied, busy with life, caught up in the things of the world. Some years ago when I was diagnosed with a small amount of cancer, I choose an option referred to as, “watchful waiting.” That is what believers are called to do as far as the return of the Lord. Watchful waiting, means we take care of the business of this life, but we are aware of Christ’s promise and we are attuned to the signs.
The coming of the Lord challenges the focus of our hearts.
“On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:31,32
When the Lord returns, we are to be ready to go! When the exodus took place from Egypt, the Children of Israel were instructed to have themselves ready. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, there was no time to pack and go through an extensive inventory. When Lot’s wife “turned back” I don’t think she was thinking, “did I remember to turn off the coffee pot.” The judgement she received is an indication that her heart was too connected to Sodom.
Abraham was the nomad, Lot was the settler in plains. Perhaps Lot’s wife didn’t embrace the sin of Sodom, but it was all she knew, so much so, it hindered her ability to obey and trust God, and leave it behind. I think of the words of an old hymn that say, “have thine affections been nailed to the cross?”
There is a lot that we don’t know or understand when it comes to all the details of the Lord’s return. But what we do know, what we do need to focus on is “seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” and the King. And we should take to heart the words and caution of Jesus to, “remember Lot’s wife.”