2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Friday, November 13
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 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! 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So, then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober, 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 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. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
“… 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, …”
When we recognize that we have been destined for salvation through Jesus Christ, we need not worry about what the future holds. While others may fret and fuss, we can calmly go forth, trusting in the promise of God. Even though things may be running amok all around us, because of the steadfast love of God, we need not be overly concerned. In other words, our lives are held securely in the hands of the Almighty.
Of course, that doesn’t get us off the hook as followers of Christ. We are still called to follow God’s commands, work for justice and peace in the world, and love our neighbors. Obedience to those directives is still expected. Of course, it’s not that we earn our salvation through them. Rather, as we have been destined for salvation, we have also been destined to do the will of God.
In other words, while through the promises of God our future is secure, living each day in the world today continues to be the means by which we honor and give glory to God.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of salvation that secures my future. Show me the way to fulfill Your commands and accomplish Your will today. Amen.