The Day of the Lord

Daily Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5.1-5)

Devotional Thought: By writing, “The day of the Lord will come,” the Apostle Paul indicated two things:  1) that it had not come yet; and 2) that it would surely come.  That was good news, as indicated by what he wrote in chapter 4: “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (v. 18).  That news will not be good for everyone, however.  There are some who are in darkness, who will be surprised by the coming of the Lord.  Sudden destruction will come upon them.

But those of us who follow Christ are not in darkness.  We are children of the day.  I wonder if Paul had a double meaning when he wrote “the day.”   Yes, we are children of the daytime, but we are also children of The Day, meaning the Day of the Lord.  Because of that Day, we have hope!

Jesus is coming though we don’t know exactly when.  We do know, however, that we won’t be surprised.  We will be overjoyed!  “Therefore, encourage one another with these words!” (1 Thessalonians 4.18)

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that we are not in darkness but rather are children of light, children of The Day.  As we consider your coming, grant that we would be encouraged and that we would encourage one another.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 29.7-11

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory! ”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.

11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!