Are You Spiritually Adrift?

Scripture: “Be on guard…But keep on the alert at all times…”

SOAP Devotional for October 17, 2026

Scripture: “Be on guard…But keep on the alert at all times…”

Observation: In context, Jesus is telling His disciples the signs of the end times and of His return. He describes a time when there will be so many fearful things happening in the world that people will faint with the terror they experience. He describes not only destruction from war, natural disasters, and plagues, but also signs from heaven in the sun, moon, & stars, and a general great dismay felt by people perplexed about the things happening and coming upon the earth. He also warns us that all believers will suffer persecution, even at the hands of family members. Yet, Jesus tells us that if we are thrown into prison, we can be assured that He will give us wisdom to confound our adversaries and an “opportunity” to give the testimony of our faith. No wonder He tells us to be on guard and keep alert–not only that, but also to PRAY we will have the strength to escape the fallout and fear of all these things and the stand before Him in the end, faithful to the end. It is Jesus, “who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless, with great joy.”

Application: In a world such as ours, with its constant temptations and causes for worry, we are very susceptible to our faith being on an almost imperceptive drift toward shipwreck until we realize the danger. The enemy rarely lures us to move off course a mile at a time, but rather a millimeter at a time, so that the change of course is barely noticeable, like a ship adrift until the deck hands realize too late they are in rough waters. Beloved, do you find yourself in such a place today? Have you in tiny increments come to a place of a sloppy neglect of your faith? Are you looking more worldly than saintly? Or are you so consumed by worry that your Lord is the last thing on your mind? Oh, brother, oh, sister–be so concerned! We cannot and will not stand faithful to the end without our Faithful-to-the-End Savior. He often warned His disciples of our propensity for this drifting, and inspired the bible writers to warn us, too. And if we drift in relative times of ease, what will happen when we are persecuted as Jesus promised we would be? Will we stand true to our Lord or long for our ease?

What will you do? If you find yourself adrift, hear your Lord calling You to repent and take up your cross again. If you find yourself weighed down with worry to the point of neglecting your daily quiet time with Him, you must also repent and turn to Him for help, for we are commanded to cast all our anxieties upon Him because He cares for us so deeply. We choose the good part when we sit at His feet and listen to His wisdom. Judge for yourself: would it be better to go through life’s ups and downs with the Lord at your side, or alone? David described his Great Shepherd’s presence as a comfort: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Christ died for us to pay our sin debt, yes, but more than that: to restore our constant communion with Himself, our Heavenly Father, and the Holy spirit. If you find yourself outside of fellowship with God, please see the danger you are in and be prudent seek Him again with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. Our Lord is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

Prayer: Dear Abba, I pray for all Your children who are adrift in their faith. Lead them back to still waters and constant fellowship with You, in order that they “may have strength to escape all” the dread and fear of the end times You have prophesied, and “to stand before the Son of Man,” faithful to the end. Father, thank you for pursuing Your wandering sheep and bringing them back to safety. May there be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents this day and returns home to his most-faithful Shepherd and Overseer of his soul. Abba, we are especially tempted in this country to wander away to a life of ease, to a lifestyle of busyness that chokes out our faith. May we all make You our most important priority each and every day, to remain “in the Vine,” so that we bear spiritual fruit that will last for eternity. Without You, we can do nothing. Without You, we wither and die. Lord Jesus, please intercede for Your church in the U.S. so that our lampstand will remain lit and your people will walk in truth and love, living to glorify You. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, Amen.