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SCRIPTURE READINGS

JEREMIAH 23:23-29

HEBREWS 11:32-40

LUKE 12:49-56

SUNDAY REFLECTION

Knowing the times is the theme for our reflection. Knowing the times means taking note of the indicators or occurrences leading to an events. It also means taking note of the signs of an anticipated event. Knowing the times also means becoming aware of signs that point to a particular era or event. For example, political campaigns are signs of upcoming elections in a democratic dispensation. It is important to know the times in order to remain vigilant and steadfast in our walk with God. We shall discuss the following points to help us know the times and be prepared:

1. Knowing the times enables us to appreciate God’s will and remain faithful to Him.

2. Knowing the times enables us to prepare in faith to embrace the blessings and hardships of discipleship.

Firstly, to appreciate God’s will and remain faithful to Him, we must know the times. At every given time in the the history of mankind, there has been war between good and evil, truth and falsehood, light and darkness. God to noticed the fact that there were fake prophets who distorted His will among His people, therefore, He said cautioned through the Prophet Isaiah that“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.” (Jeremiah 23:23-28). Like the time of Isaiah, fake prophesies and teachings are on the ascendancy in our current dispensation, it is our duty as believers to know the times, know God’s will through His Word and preach the unadulterated truth to our generation. We should pursue His will by remaining faithful to His Word in our thoughts, deeds and relationship with Him. Jesus again reminds us of the importance of knowing the times when He said “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Mattew 24:24). It is for this reason, we have been greatly admonished in 1 John1:1-4 that “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already...“. Dear friend, let us be watchful by knowing the times and remain faithful to the Lord.

Secondly, knowing the times enables us to prepare in faith to embrace the blessings and hardships of believing in God or being disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 11:32-40, there are examples of people who knew the era in which they were with its associated challenges yet they had faith in God. Some were delivered or got their favorable responses from God. It is also important to note that others out of faith died serving the Lord, all these servants of the Lord both of the Old Testament and New Testament shall recieve the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life. “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40). In the same manner because of our faith in Jesus, there will be division even in our families and there will be hostility against the faithful followers or disciples of Jesus Christ. Indeed times have changed, materialism and unbelief have truly separated some families. Jesus confirmed this fact when He said “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.” (Luke 9:49-53). You must know the times and be prepared to endure attacks from even your family members on account of your faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ Jesus shall enable us to recieve the grace and blessing of God even as we endure the cost of following or remaining disciples of Jesus Christ.

In summary beloved in the Lord, Knowing the times enables us to appreciate God’s will and remain faithful to Him. Knowing the times enables us to prepare in faith to embrace the blessings and hardships of believing in God. May the Holy Spirit grant us the discernment to know and understand the times even as we remain faithful to God in both the good and bad times. Amen.