Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Devotion
What an amazing promise this verse contains! Paul reiterates the fact that if we put our trust and faith in Jesus, we will live with him forever. Salvation through Jesus Christ will free us from the power of death and sin and bring us into eternal life. When we feel like this world is beating us down, we can “encourage one another and build each other up” with this truth: that Jesus has overcome the world, and we are found in him.
This, afterall, is the greatest truth there is. When we face the trials of life, the difficulties of relationships, the pain of loss, the frustration of sin, the disappointment of failure — all of this pales in comparison to the eternal life we are given in Jesus. He indeed promises to wipe away every tear, to heal every disease, to bind up every heart, and to deliver everyone in bondage. In Jesus we have this hope, that in the end, all will be restored and made new in his perfect love! Praise God!
One small part of this verse though, gives us even more hope: “whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” In other words, whether we live or die we may live together with him. He’s saying that we don’t have to wait until the next life to experience God’s goodness! We can know his goodness now in this life.
Of course we will still face evil and pain and suffering, but in the midst of all of that we can begin to know the gift of salvation in the here and now. We can know his love, life, forgiveness, and power right now. We can know the power of his deliverance and the freedom of his word.
Today, no matter what you are walking through in life, lean into Jesus. Thank him for his victory of sin and death in your life. And receive all that he has for you in the here and now, while you also trust him for the hereafter!
Prayer
I pray that you would show me how deeply and powerfully you love me Jesus!
Author: Christian Dunn
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