1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. Verse 2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Verse 3When 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! Verse 4But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; Verse 5for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
Verse 6So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; Verse 7for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. Verse 8But 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. Verse 9For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Verse 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.
Verse 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
Devotion
Otis Redding insistently demands in one of his love songs that, “I want security, and I want it at any cost.” It’s so human to want consistency, predictability and security in whatever aspect of life. We want to know when, where and how things will be. It’s hard to embrace the reality of life’s ambiguity, change and uncertainty. Paul writes these verses to remind the people of Thessalonica and us that as children of light we wait in a balanced way. We are hopeful and prepared for what’s to come, but also at peace with the future, knowing that ultimately God will take care of us and our that salvation is secured in Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Thank you God for being so big, for taking care of the things we see and those we don’t. Protect us from anxiety and give us peace, patience and trust as we wait for your return. Amen.