For Meditation
Monday, I have chosen a passage that has given me much strength in the last few
confusing days here in America where I live. We can be tempted to feel God has
abandoned us and left us to fend for ourselves against evil. That is never
true. Let us listen to the words of Paul
as many of his people wondered if the times in which they lived, filled with
persecution and violence, were indeed the end times.
1 Thessalonians 5
The Day of the
Lord
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we
do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the
Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying,
“Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor
pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not
in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You
are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to
the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like
others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For
those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong
to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and
the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did
not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we
may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and
build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to
acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and
who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love
because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And
we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive,
encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make
sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what
is good for each other and for everyone else.
Rejoice always, pray
continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do
not treat prophecies with contempt but test them
all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of
evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify
you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you
is faithful, and he will do it.
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet
all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before
the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you.
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