Remembering December 7, 1941

It happened on this day.  December 7, 1941 to be exact.   On this date, the naval installation at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Japanese.  I am not old enough to remember the event.  I recall my Dad talking about that day with great vividness as he shared with me that he heard  the news of the attack on the radio on that Sunday.    There are many forms of media that have explored in detail what happened that day at Pearl Harbor  and why it happened.  What can be said with no argument is that one of the reasons that the attack was successful  at Pearl Harbor is that the United States was not in a state of readiness.  

Being ready is an important attribute in many jobs.  It is certainly important for our military and it is critical for medical personnel and firefighters.    It is also important to be in a state of spiritual readiness.  Followers of Christ Jesus must be ready for the chance to share Christ with others….and to help those in need.   We must also be in a state of readiness for the time when Christ shall come again.   This season of Advent is not just about celebrating that Christ has come and preparing for the Christmas celebration.  It is also a poignant reminder that Christ will come again.    In Matthew 24: 36-44, Jesus speaks to his folllowers about the importance of readiness for the coming of the Lord: 

³⁶ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f]but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Have a good week and a holy Advent season.  -  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   O Lord, you are alpha and omega, beginning and end.  We thank you for coming into the world in Christ Jesus and for the blessed hope that you come again.  Give us hearts eager and ready to share your love with others.  Make our  hearts ready for that time when you come to take your people home with you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.