And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3
As presented on *The Lutheran Hour® by Dr. Lawrence Acker, 1950
On one of his several expeditions to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackelton was compelled to leave some of his men on Elephant Island, with the intention of returning for them and taking them back to England. But he was unavoidably delayed and by the time he could go for them, he found to his dismay that the sea had frozen over and that his men were cut off. Three times he tried to reach them, but his efforts ended each time in failure.
At last, as he made his fourth and final effort, he found a narrow channel through the ice. Guiding his small ship back to Elephant Island, he was delighted to find his men not only alive and well, but all prepared to get aboard. Without wasting a moment, they were on their way to safety and home.
After the excitement had abated, Sir Ernest asked his men how it was that they were all ready to get aboard so quickly and with all of their necessary belongings. Then they told him that every morning their leader had rolled up his sleeping bag saying, "Get your things ready, boys, the boss may come today."
The return of the Lord Jesus to this earth is more certain than was the return of Sir Ernest Shackelton to Elephant Island. Christ's promise to come back to claim His redeemed is established on His Word and His character. Christ will come again. Will you be ready when He comes?
Dear Jesus, help me to be ready to meet you every day. Give me the sense of urgency to be prepared and the patience to await your return. Amen.
Taken from A Message of Hope: Proclaiming the Promise (selections from messages broadcast on *The Lutheran Hour, celebrating 75 years of proclaiming the promise).
Copyright © 2005 by Lutheran Hour Ministries
*The Lutheran Hour is the longest-running Christian radio broadcast in the world. It is a production of Lutheran Hour Ministries. For more information, visit www.lutheranhour.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Ezra 1-2 1 John 4
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