THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 21:34-38
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down.” (Luke 21:34)
There seems to be a relationship between the things that Jesus warns about.
He mentions carousing/drunkenness, and then anxieties.
These are representative for many kinds of things that can weigh us down.
In my experience, the one feeds into the other, and vice versa.
Our sin-messed world and separation from God make us very anxious.
Satan loves to stir up our anxieties, often about non-existent concerns.
One way to manage those anxious feelings is through pleasure.
Carousing and drunkenness, immersing oneself in pain-numbing experiences.
But these addictive experiences only produce more trouble, more anxiety.
Excessive anxiety and self-indulgence are a fitting description of our world today.
Even Jesus followers find themselves weighed down by these things.
“Be always on the watch and pray” (21:36); am I practicing this kind of diligence?
Would continuous prayer help me with my own anxieties and indulgences?
Do I see these as a “trap” (v.34), and am I taking steps to fight them?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me not to feed my anxieties and indulgences; help me to fight them! Impress it on my heart that I am under attack, and the enemy’s sole purpose is to weigh me down, the ruin me!
Watch and pray.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Do not fear. Jesus is the answer. He offers freedom from the cares of this world. Be not anxious. His love is sufficient.
Stay on the path.
Pray.
Watch.
Look forward to His coming.
Be filled with His love to stand firm.
He is the wind beneath my wings.
1
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!