Understanding the Present Time

 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

— Romans 13:11-12

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Your return is nearer now than it has ever been. I believe that. Some choose to live without that belief and one day they will awaken to that reality when you come in your glory. I want to understand the present time in which I live. Like the tribe of Issachar, I want to be a man "who understands the times and knew what Israel should do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). On this 249th anniversary of our nation's birth, give me awareness and understanding of our present hour for our nation and our world that I may wake up from my own slumber. Our salvation—your final rescue—really is nearer now than when we first believed.

The long night of waiting for dawn to arrive is nearly over. The day is almost here. The day when "nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (Isaiah 60:3). The day when "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

So I choose to put aside the deeds of darkness. For some, this may mean very specific actions that lead them and others away from you. For me, it's the thoughts that I permit, planted by the enemy and welcomed by my flesh, that keep me from embracing your Truth fully and fervently. I choose to put on the armor of light. Clothing myself in Jesus Christ. Putting on the full armor of God. Recognizing the spiritual battle I am in and fighting with weapons that are not of this world but are mighty in God (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Gracious Lord Jesus, today I choose to be awake and aware. To wait and to warn. To be equipped and to equip. To put aside darkness and to put on Christ. May our nation come to Your light and to the brightness of Your dawn.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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