Like a thief in the night

Like a Thief in the Night

Ever stop to wonder where that saying comes from?  When we are shocked and amazed at how quickly something can disappear, or how fast we find ourselves on the losing end of a deal, we can’t seem to come to grips with it.  It can seem like we were visited by some awesome power and allowed this thing to remove something near and dear to our hearts.  When I was spending time in God’s Word today, I came across this very statement, so I’m convinced it has biblical origins. 

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.   For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5(NKJV)

The point here is this, we need to be alert and on our guard, lest we are visited by the “thief in the night.”  No one knows when Jesus will make his triumphant return.  No person here on earth can predict with any reasonable accuracy, the return of Christ to this world.  But there is one thing that can be counted on.  He will return.  Yet we continue to live our lives as if there is no fear of anyone having to deal with “a thief in the night” scenario.  We all simply go about our daily lives feeling protected and secure because we feel that we have plenty of time left to prepare.  Should we consider this a false sense of security?  Should we be dealing with all the issues in our lives, getting things right with our God, because we have no clue when it’s game over? 

In today’s world, we are often confronted with choices and decisions that move us further away from the truth.  We try very hard to please the world, to get along in our daily lives without paying any attention to what God wants from us, or what God has in mind for our lives.  And we never think that Jesus will return, like that dreaded “thief in the night.” 

We may want to think more about how we can be ready for the “thief” and not so much about building our walls and fences in order to keep Him out.  That’s what we do when we pay no attention to how God sees things.  We are simply too busy trying to impress the world.

Are you making room for Jesus, or are you building up your walls with “peace and safety” in order to feel secure?   

“in the world, not of the world”