Always Vigilant

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

The reward for eternal vigilance and faith is eternal life. Paul, in his letter to the churches at Thessaloniki, pressed urgently for them to remain faithful. Many were beginning to doubt that Christ would return, unlike some churches whose members quit work and sat on the hillside awaiting the eminent return of Jesus. Paul reminds us that God has fitted us for His salvation through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ on the cross. His encouragement is simple. Let us remain rational and clearheaded. Our strength lay in our faith and abiding love for God and one another as we look toward eternal life. What beauty there is in knowing what Jesus did for us on the cross. God loved us so very much that He gave His Son for us.

Prayer: Father thank you for continuing to love us in the time of our impatience and thoughtlessness. Guide us in Your holy will that we may wait upon You, knowing that You keep Your promises. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!