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Luke 21:20-28 (The Message)

20-24 "When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you'll know that she is about to be devastated.

If you're living in Judea at the time, run for the hills. If you're in the city, get out quickly.

If you're out in the fields, don't go home to get your coat.

This is Vengeance Day—everything written about it will come to a head.

Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Incredible misery! Torrential rage! People dropping like flies; people dragged off to prisons; Jerusalem under the boot of barbarians until the nations finish what was given them to do.

25-26 "It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.

27-28 "And then—then!—they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet.

Stand tall with your heads high.

Help is on the way!"

How does it feel when you're really in danger...when you're really facing a crisis...when you really don't have any idea how things are going to get better...and help finally appears?

It's about the best feeling that there is.

Help in a time of need.

Have you ever really needed help that badly?

The scene that Jesus describes is startling and bleak. It is frightening and painful. Anyone in Jerusalem in the situation he tells us about would be in desperate need of help.

When danger is present on all sides, our instinct can be to run and hide. Even Jesus tells those listening that on that day they should "run for the hills."

But he also tells them something else. That's not the end of the story.

Remember this today, whatever pressures and dangers you face:

When it seems like, "all hell has broken loose," that is the moment to look up.

"Up on your feet, heads held high!"

Jesus promises us that when we need it most...when it seems as though all hope is lost...help is on the way. And it will always be exactly so.

Prayer: Father, we pray that if we are discouraged, you would send us your encouragement. If we have almost given up, remind us to look to the heavens...and to know that you will help us in "grand and glorious style."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.