Daily Devotional For Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Good morning Southside! I am following the One Year Chronological Bible reading suggestion and any Bible verses you see highlighted in bold (ex. John 3:16), means it is a link to that verse. All you have to do is click on the reference and it will take you to the verse online. Our daily devotional for today comes from the words of Jesus found in Luke 21:25-33. Have you noticed that what drives America and American lives is money? It seems to be what we live and sleep. We seemed to be obsessed and possessed by it. Let me give you a modern day example of this.
“When Wladziu Valentino died, entrepreneurs leased the Los Angeles Convention Center to display the 25,000 to 30,000 objects left from his estate. This was an event for the well-heeled of L.A. Why? Mr. Valentino was better known as Liberace. Thousands of people willingly paid six dollars each for the privilege of viewing the lavish remains of Liberace’s materialism. This was followed by an auction at Christie’s where another admission charge of ten dollars was levied in an attempt to lessen the size of the enthusiastic crowd. In a frenzied auction, a king’s ransom was paid by the bejeweled crowd for the eight warehouses of Liberace’s belongings” (Source: Rachael Field, “Art, Antiquities and Auction,” Pan Am Clipper, Volume 18, Number 4, April 1988, p. 13).
What if the church had the same passion for being the people of God in evangelism, mission and purpose as it does in earning money or being fascinated or attracted to money? Following yesterday’s devotion, the disciples were marveling at the splendor of the Temple and Jesus told them a day was coming when no stone was going to be left upon another. So, in Luke 21:7, they asked Jesus, “When would this be?” In Luke 21:25-33, Jesus answered them but in doing so, gave them more than they asked. Instead of giving them the details of about 70 AD when Rome would destroy the Temple, Jesus told them about the Second Coming.
Jesus said that since the universe and nature had been involved in humanity’s fallen predicament, it would also be involved in the Second Coming. All of the universe would be changed. The sun would grow dark, the moon would not be seen and the stars would fall and heavenly bodies would be shaken (Matt. 24:29). The “roaring sea” means nature would be in chaos from one end of the earth to the other (Ps. 46:2-4; Isa. 17:12). These words also recall the words of the prophets (Isa. 13:10; Joel 2:10-11). Basically what Jesus describes here is what John saw in his vision in Revelation later in Revelation 6:12-14.
Due to the persecutions and natural disasters coming on the earth, the sorrow and suffering will be so overwhelming that people will collapse from it. People should see these signs that the Messiah’s return is near and they can look forward to His reign of justice and peace. Believers do not need to fear; instead, they should wait confidently in faith for the Lord’s return. After all these signs, the Lord will appear in the clouds with power and great glory.
Just as the clouds took Jesus from earth to heaven at His Ascension (Acts 1:9-11), they will bring him from heaven to earth for His Second Coming. To the Jews, the clouds represented God’s divine presence (Ex. 13:21; Ex. 19:9; Ps. 97:1-2; Dan. 7:13). When Jesus returns, there will be no doubt about His identity. With great power and great glory He will defeat the devil and all evil and establish His eternal reign.
Lastly, Jesus said when these things happen to stand up, lift your heads up. If you watch the Olympics and when someone wins the gold medal, watch their reaction. They always throw their hands up in the air and they lift their face up. It is so common that it is almost universal. As terrifying as some of these signs are, we who are Christians need not fear because our redemption is drawing near. If you belong to Jesus, hold your heads up. He is coming back for you. And all of God’s people said, “AMEN!”
Reflection Assignment: Have you ever asked a question and got more than you asked in the answer? Or has someone asked you a question and you gave them more than they asked for in your answer? Why do you people do that? Why do you think Jesus did that in our passage for today? Do any of these signs scare you? If so, why? Why do you think we want to know when Jesus is returning? Is it for good reasons or the wrong reasons? How about you? Do you ever think about Jesus returning? If so, what causes you to do this?
Scripture To Meditate On: Amos 8:9, “On that day I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight” (ESV).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I want to be ready when You return. I do not want to be living in fear but in faith. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Though I want You to return, I want You to delay so that more can come to Christ. Lord, please use me until You return to help people come to You before it is too late. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly