ON THAT DAY / LUKE 17:31

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 17:31

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

On That Day: Living Unattached in a Distracted World

We live in a culture obsessed with gathering, securing, and organizing “stuff.” We invest immense energy into packing our homes with comforts, building our careers, and securing our earthly futures. But in Luke 17:31, Jesus delivers a jarring wake-up call that completely shifts our perspective on what truly matters:

“On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back.” (Luke 17:31)

When Jesus speaks of “on that day,” He is referring to the sudden, unmistakable revelation of the Son of Man (Luke 17:30). He draws a vivid picture of immediacy. In ancient Israel, flat housetop roofs were common places for relaxation or prayer, accessible by an outside staircase. Jesus warns that when the moment of His return arrives, there will be no time to run inside to pack a bag. There will be no time for the farmer to return to the edge of the field to grab a forgotten cloak.

He summarizes the danger a few verses later with a sobering, three-word sermon: “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

The Danger of the Backward Glance

What was the sin of Lot’s wife? It wasn’t just that her physical neck turned toward the burning city of Sodom; it was that her heart was anchored there. She was clinging to the life, comforts, and possessions she was leaving behind.

Jesus uses this imagery to expose our deepest spiritual vulnerabilities:

The Trap of Materialism: Are the things we own actually owning us? If our first instinct in a moment of divine crisis is to rescue our earthly goods, our priorities are dangerously misplaced.
The Illusion of Security: We often try to make our lives secure by gathering temporal things, but true security is found exclusively in Christ.
Delayed Obedience: When God moves, or when Christ returns, the call requires immediate, unhesitating response. Looking back signals a divided heart.

Living “On That Day” Today

Living in light of “that day” doesn’t mean we abandon our daily responsibilities or stop caring for our families. It means we change our grip on the world. We transition from holding things tightly to holding them loosely.

If Christ were to return today, would you be ready to step forward into His presence without a single glance backward? Let us strive to live with undivided hearts, fully invested in eternity, so that we are filled with excitement—rather than hesitation—when He appears.

Closing Prayer

Father, God Almighty,

Give me an undivided heart and an undiluted passion to live so that I am entirely ready for Jesus’ return (Heartlight Devotional). I know that the day will come unexpectedly and quickly. Lord, break the power of materialism and temporal worry in my life. Deliver me from the temptation to look back or to cling desperately to the comforts of this passing world.

I don’t want to anchor my soul to things that will ultimately pass away. Instead, help me to live each morning in expectation of Your unimaginable glory. May my hands be open, my heart unattached to earthly goods, and my eyes fixed solely on Jesus.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace