While We Wait? – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Thank you, Paul, for the great reminder that Jesus will return and gather all of us who believe, as well as those who have gone before us, and we will forever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (CSB)
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.”
This gives us great hope; we long for His return and to be with Him, but what do we as believers do while we wait?
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (CSB)
“…give recognition to those who labor… and lead you… and to regard them very highly in love…
…Be at peace among yourselves.
…warn those who are irresponsible
…comfort the discouraged
…help the weak
…be patient with everyone
…no one repays evil for evil to anyone
…pursue what is good for one another and for all
…Rejoice always!
…Pray constantly
…Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
…Don’t stifle the Spirit
…Don’t despise prophecies
…test all things
…Hold on to what is good
…Stay away from every kind of evil.”
Wow! God has some things for us to do while we wait. We could focus a devotional on each of these commands that Paul lays out. Starting with regarding very highly in love those God has put in leadership at our churches. How about being at peace with one another? Or challenging those who are not being responsible?
Certainly, we should comfort those who are discouraged and help the weak; in fact, we should be patient with everyone. But not being spiteful? Not repaying evil for evil?
What a great injunction: “pursue what is good for one another and for all.” How about that, putting our energy into making things better for those around us.
Rejoice—rejoice always! Even in challenges and hurts, rejoice.
Pray always, keeping our conversation with God ongoing. He is with us, His Spirit dwells within us, and we are always dependent on Him.
How about this for knowing what God’s will is for our lives: Give thanks in everything. Much like rejoice, but being thankful. God, You have us, You know us, You see us, You are sustaining us, You are providing for us, You are caring for us, and You know our every need. Thank You.
We must continue to pursue good teaching from God’s Word, but we are to test all things, much like Acts 17:11, and hold onto what is good.
Stay away from every kind of evil—this is broad, but wise. As followers of Jesus, why would we play in the devil’s sandbox? We will surely come out dirty.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (CSB)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
I love this; may God’s peace make us holy, completely holy. What a prayer for us, to keep us sound and blameless until He returns. My favorite verse in the Bible right now is verse 24. He who calls us is faithful. He is the One who is making us like His Son, holy and blameless. He will do it. It reminds me of Philippians 1:6.
I am so thankful that God did not ask us to wait on a mountain with nothing to do but anticipate His return. No, He has much for us to do, and a lot for us to give our attention to.
Are you waiting for His return? I am so thankful for this blessed hope; now let’s take some time to review what is written and focus our energy here so that we may be a bright light in a dark world.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 (CSB)
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
