Can ye not discern the signs of the times?
September 18, 2019 (Bible Devotional)
And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? — Matthew 16:3
It will be foul weather today
We have many powerful tools to help us predict the weather. Nowadays, we can forecast for a very long time. We can even predict how the weather is going to look like in a few weeks. Granted that all our predictions are not always accurate, but they give us a clear indication of what we can expect the weather to look like.
When we have to predict the weather for a very short time, modern tools can give us very accurate insights. For example, we can know if it’s going to rain. We can also predict even where it’s going to rain. We can also predict, sometimes even to the minute, when is going to rain. These tools are powerful.
During the time of Jesus, the people also had ways to predict the weather. By looking at the sky, they can foretell whether did they will be good or bad. Even though they were unable to give detail instructions about the weather, they can generalized what could happen any given day. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors take delight. These simple principles did not require any radar or sensors.
O ye hypocrites
Even the leaders can predict the time, they had no spiritual discernment. The Pharisees, the scribes, in the Sadducees were supposed to be spiritual leaders in the nation. Sadly, they were blind leaders of the blind. They were so engrossed with earthly things that they overlook their spiritual well-being.
Just like them, we ought to be careful. Even though we have so many powerful tools, they cannot tell us this spiritual direction of our lives. We cannot rely on our intellect but we need to learn how to rely on the word of God. Otherwise, we are bound to become hypocrites just like the leaders of old.
You can discern the face of the sky
We are blessed, we are blessed with knowledge and skills. With modern technology, we can discern the face sky. We can predict a hurricane. we can study earthquakes. we can assess fire risk. And we can detect many other things, but we also need spiritual eyesalves. This knowledge will prove a great benefit to us.
Can ye not discern the signs of the times?
With all the knowledge that we have, we should be able to discern the times. Without a doubt, we are living in the last days. All the signs are evident. Ouisie fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, salmons, hurricanes, wars, protests, and many other signs that tell us we are leaving in the last days.
Will we plead ignorance? Will we say that we do not know? How? The signs are too evident. Disorder and chaos are everywhere. And the love of man has gone cold. All of these signs should show us that we are leaving in the last days.
