Daily devotion – Our world is brittle, angry and ripe!
Jesus Is Coming — Ready or Not!
In 2026, we have the capacity to receive news from almost anywhere in the world as it happens. Wars, air strikes, earthquakes, protests, political upheaval, disease outbreaks, migration, religious conflict and gross immorality fill our screens and newspapers. Our world seems to be constantly bubbling and brewing.
Hatred, anger and rage are increasingly evident. People openly disregard the laws of the land, stealing and looting with little apparent concern for consequences. Even here in Australia, things that were once shocking and rare have become almost commonplace.
I stopped today to get some fuel at our local service station, and on the door were photographs of people who had openly stolen fuel or merchandise. It was a sobering reminder of how much society has changed.
Even the world of professional sport is regularly touched by allegations of immoral and sordid behaviour. Our newspapers are filled with reports of murder, violence and corruption. Things that, when I was growing up in Australia, would have been considered national tragedies now seem to be reported almost as everyday occurrences.
So, what is the point?
Jesus is coming—and His coming may be much sooner than we expect.
Paul warned Timothy:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.”
— 2 Timothy 3:1
Paul then describes the character of people living in those days: lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, without self-control, brutal, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, and having a form of godliness while denying its power.
You might say, “But Keith, you are always quoting that passage!”
Yes, I am—because we are living in the last days.
The word perilous carries the idea of times that are difficult to bear, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce and savage. Read Paul’s description carefully and consider how accurately it describes the world around us today. Yet Paul wrote these words almost 2,000 years ago!
This should not cause the believer to live in fear. Rather, it should awaken us to urgency.
Every time we have the opportunity to gather together as the Church—to worship, pray, fellowship and study God’s Word—we should treasure that opportunity. We should not treat our relationship with Christ casually or assume that we will always have another opportunity.
Jesus could come for His Church at any moment.
Sadly, many people treat their relationship with Christ much like a neglected marriage: casually, without faithfulness, and without recognising the love and sacrifice that made the relationship possible.
But our salvation was purchased at the greatest possible cost. It was Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Son of God, who died in our place for our sins.
Therefore, let us live faithfully. Let us worship passionately, pray fervently, study God’s Word diligently and share the Gospel urgently.
The world may be growing darker, but our hope is getting brighter.
Jesus is coming. Ready or not!
Are you ready?