Week 4 Coming Of Our Lord
Monday: Caught Up Together
READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
SOAP: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Devotion
What an amazing hope we have in the future return of our Lord. Though we do not know the exact day or hour, we have this unwavering promise that He will return as we look toward our future. We see from our verses today that when Christ returns, the Christians who have died will be raised first. Then those who are alive when Christ returns will be united with Him in the clouds.
One of my favorite truths from this passage of Scripture is the stated fact that we will, from that moment on, be with Jesus forever. What an encouraging promise!
This incredible promise of Christ’s return helps us persevere in the trials we experience while we patiently long for His imminent return. It also comforts our hearts, as some of us find ourselves grieving the passing of a loved one who was a believer in Christ. We cling to the promise that we will one day be reunited with them again. Our grieving isn’t forever; it’s only temporary.
As Paul encouraged the members of the church in Thessalonica in his day, we need to do the same and encourage those around us with this truth. Jesus is coming back, and when He does, these momentary struggles will end. Those of us who are in Christ have so much to look forward to. Our best days are yet to come. In the meantime, use this truth to build up the Christians you know who may be facing many struggles.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me be an encouragement to those around me. Help me build others up and encourage their hearts as we long for Your return. Help me keep my focus heavenward and actively work to advance the gospel in the lives of those who do not yet know You. Help me abide in You as I eagerly wait for the day when I will be with You forever. Until that day, I pray come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
