Like A Thief
The Day of the Lord will come like a thief and that day is only getting closer. Prepare yourself and pursue holiness by growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
“In those days Israel had no king...the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle...When they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite...they said to him, “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful.” The priest answered them, “Go in peace...six hundred Danites, armed for battle...went inside and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods...the Danites turned and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?” He replied, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have?...The Danites answered, “Don’t argue with us, or...you and your family will lose your lives.” So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned around and went back home.”
Judges 18:1-26
At first glance, the story might not seem very fair. People came and stole from Micah, but we must remember that Micah had stolen it in the first place. He consecrated the silver to make an idol that he could worship in the way he wanted. He did not use what he had for God, he used it to make an idol and worship a false God. His money became his security but it did not stand on the day of judgment against stronger forces.
The silver was both the source of sin and the instrument of worship. So when Dan comes and takes it, it feels like an injustice, but is actually the reckoning. What is taken wrongly cannot be secured permanently. A life oriented around material possessions is not lasting.
When he loses it all, Micah asks what he has left. His identity, security, and sense of God were tied to something he made and something he possessed. If you are honest, where do you put your trust? Is it in the strength of your job, your savings, your retirement, your abilities? If today was the day, the Lord returned, would you be ready?
“We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us. How long, Lord? Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.” Psalms 79:4-9
The song was written in a time when people had long forgotten God. They had pursued and become objects of contempt. We become what we love. They had trusted the worldly things over God, but none of those things helped them when they ended up in times of testing.
What happens when what we trust in cannot save? We can find ourselves crying the Israelites or lost like Micah. Why are we surprised? God has such a better plan and deeper purposes for our lives. We were made to worship Him and live for Him.
Sometimes the times that are most painful, the times of loss, are the times that actually turn us to God. It is what happens in this text. In their pain they plea for mercy. In those critical moments, we have to decide if we are going to turn from God or turn to God. This psalm shows the result when God allows what we trust in externally to be shaken and He allows the same things to shake up our lives.
The people appeal not to their worth, but to God’s faithful love. They know that even when we are unfaithful, God is faithful. Paul said that while we were still sinners Christ died for us that we might be redeemed to Him. Is it possible to give thanks for the times of testing? Is it possible to praise through our pain knowing that God is going to use these times to draw us closer to Him?
“Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence...If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink...and the Lord will reward you. Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.” Proverbs 25:4-26
Paul says in the book of Romans that God makes all things work for good for those who love him and are called according to his purposes. Do you believe this to be true? Are you able to hold fast to this truth when you are being refined and find yourself in a place where you need to change?
You were made in the image of God and along the way might've picked up patterns of thinking, possessions that possess your heart, and ideas about who you are as a person that are not from God. God loves you too much to leave you where you are, and he is refining you to become who he made you to be. We are constantly being conformed to the likeness of Christ.
Solomon says remove the dross and the silversmith can craft the masterpiece. The impurities must be burned away. This is where the rubber meets the road. Can we be honest about the impurities in our lives? They have to go! Jesus said the light came into the world but people preferred darkness. What do you prefer? Purity or pleasure? Pursuing Christ or personal gain? Where is God refining you? What areas of your life need to be stripped away so that your life can shine?
“I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord...the idols that cause the wicked to stumble...those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him...Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited...all who trade with silver will be destroyed. The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter...Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them" Zephaniah 1:2-18
Zaphaniah says silver and gold will not save in the day of the Lord. It is not about wealth, it is about where you put your trust and what you spend your life working for. On the day where we breathe our last breath, the truth will be very clear that we will not take anything with us as we depart.
Consider for a minute your calendar, your checkbook, and you're calling. Look at your family or friends and the people you've influenced. What does your life say about your love for Jesus? How are you investing your time, talent and treasure in the eternal?
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come...But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief...You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God...make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation...be on your guard...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! 2 Peter 3:3-18
Can you see how all the scriptures are connected? Some people point to the Old Testament or the New Testament as their guiding text, but all of it is God's word. Every text today points to learning to live a life for the eternal and understanding that we are all on a journey to become like Jesus.
It is incredible to see that Peter says Jesus will come like a thief on the same day we read about how the Danites came like thieves. Peter says the Lord will come in the same unexpected way, but with perfect justice. Jesus said change the way you are thinking. How does recognizing that nothing comes with us to heaven help refine our perspective about how we live today? Instead of clinging to what can be taken, we are to become what cannot be taken. We become spotless, blameless, refined and ready for his return.
Peter says a couple critical words. He says spotless and blameless. You might immediately feel disqualified as you know you have neither been nor presently are spotless or blameless. Except Jesus says you are by His blood. You may feel blemished, but Jesus sees blameless. You may look in the mirror and see broken, but He sees a beautiful. One of the most important transformations that has to take place is learning to see yourself as Jesus sees you.
When Peter says spotless, he means something untainted, not marked by corruption. Can you see how easily the world around you corrupts? People will say it is good to follow the golden rule, but then devote their lives to getting all they can. God teaches us to give, not get. We do well when we learn to discern how the message of the world can impact our hearts. Peter says the same thing that Solomon said in proverbs. Above all else guard your heart.
Blameless means something sacrificially offered. Jesus made us blameless by his sacrifice and we are meant to remain blameless. Peter is not saying you have to live a life of perfection. Rather he wants to emphasize how a personal relationship with Jesus will transform how you live. It is a life offered to Him, centered in Him, that give thanks to Him for everything of value, and desires the refining fire that creates space for His presence.
Peter says go in Grace or charis. It is where we get the word charity. More than favor; it is God’s active influence. It is His enabling presence that shapes how we live. It is the mindset that says we have been blessed so that we can bless others. We are given grace or charity so that we can be charitable to others. The natural question that should arise is who can I help today?
Peter says grow in knowledge. We live in the information age with more knowledge than ever before. Peter is talking so much more than information. He is speaking to transformation that comes from relationally knowing Jesus. He invites us to a growing awareness of who Christ is through experience and obedience. Holding fast to Jesus as Savior and Lord. He wants us to learn to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit at work as you serve.
Famous Christian martyr Jim Elliott once said he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. Pursue God today. Invite him to evaluate and refine your heart, mind, and soul. There will be a day when he comes like a thief, will you be ready?