Matthew 24:15-22: a reflection

15“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house. 18Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. 19But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days! 20Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath, 21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 22Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.

As Jesus foretells a time of great suffering and tribulation, he speaks a word that reveals God's mercy even in the midst of it. Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved, he says; But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. Even in a time of severe trial, God sets a limit; for the sake of his people, the chosen ones, the days of suffering are shortened. God's mercy is at work even within the trial, limiting its length, so that it does not go on beyond what his people can bear. The trial is real, but it is bounded; God shortens the days for the sake of those who are his.

Notice God's mercy in shortening the days for the sake of his people. The tribulation is severe, a suffering such as had not been; yet it is not without limit. For the sake of the chosen ones, God shortens the days; his mercy sets a boundary on the trial, so that it does not go on endlessly or beyond what his people can endure. Even in judgment and severe trial, God's mercy toward his people is at work, limiting the length of the suffering for their sake. The days are shortened, not by chance, but by God's mercy toward the chosen. The trial has a bound, set by God's care for his own; his mercy limits even the time of suffering.

That is worth taking to heart, for God's mercy limits the length of our trials for the sake of his people. When we are in a time of severe trial, it can feel endless, as though the suffering will never be bounded; but Jesus reveals that God shortens the days for the sake of his chosen ones. God's mercy sets a limit on our trials; they will not go on beyond what he permits for our good. The trial is bounded by his care for us. When you are in a severe trial that feels endless, remember that God's mercy sets a limit on it for the sake of his people; the days are shortened. Take comfort that God's mercy limits the length of your trials for the sake of his people, shortening the days so they do not go on beyond what you can bear, as Jesus said the days would be shortened for the sake of the chosen ones; for God's mercy is at work even within our trials, setting a bound on the suffering, and the time of trial is limited by his care for those who are his.

Lord, as Jesus foretells a time of great suffering and tribulation, he speaks a word that reveals your mercy even in the midst of it. Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved, he says; but for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. Even in a time of severe trial, you set a limit; for the sake of your people, the days of suffering are shortened. Your mercy is at work even within the trial, limiting its length. Show me your mercy in shortening the days for the sake of your people. The tribulation is severe, a suffering such as had not been; yet it is not without limit. For the sake of the chosen ones, you shorten the days; your mercy sets a boundary on the trial, so that it does not go on endlessly or beyond what your people can endure. Even in judgment and severe trial, your mercy toward your people is at work. The days are shortened, not by chance, but by your mercy. Take that to my heart, for your mercy limits the length of my trials for the sake of your people. When I am in a time of severe trial, it can feel endless, as though the suffering will never be bounded; but Jesus reveals that you shorten the days for the sake of your chosen ones. Your mercy sets a limit on my trials. When I am in a severe trial that feels endless, help me remember that your mercy sets a limit on it, Lord; the days are shortened. Help me take comfort that your mercy limits the length of my trials, shortening the days so they do not go on beyond what I can bear.