Today’s Reading, 1 Thessalonians 1-5
Focal Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
We all need encouragement in our lives. When a person does not have encouragement, it can crush their spirit and cripple their mind. Some people believe that encouragement is only needed for those who are mentally weak. They will say “a person who knows their worth, doesn’t need validation from others.” However, encouragement is about building others up and letting them know you see them as a person. Encouragement means giving truth that speaks life into others when the world tries to destroy them.
In today’s reading we see the ultimate encouragement from Paul. He tells the church that the Lord is coming again. He will come boldly, visibly, and loudly. The dead believers will be taken up to meet the Lord, first. Then the believers who are still on Earth will be taken up into the air to meet the dead saints and Jesus. Then Paul encourages the church and lets them know that once they meet the Lord, they will be with him forever. He even tells the other believers to encourage one another with these words.
Do you need encouragement today? If so, take heart that if you are a believer you will meet Jesus face to face. When you meet him, you will be with him forever. Our eternity is secure. Our eternity is guaranteed. If you are overwhelmed right now know that the Lord has good planned for you and cares about you deeply. Even though you might have temporary afflictions, Jesus will bring you to himself in the end.
Not only should this encourage us as believers, we should encourage others with this powerful truth. Imagine being told that even though it seems dark today our eternity is secure. However, we don’t need to use it as just a future encouragement. It should be used as a present encouragement. How? Because we know that the Lord thinks about his people. He thinks about us so much he has a plan on how to take us to heaven. He knows about our hurts, he knows about our pain. Thankfully, he knows about our eternity.
I have frustrations in my life. I can become discouraged. What gives me hope now and in the future is that I will be forever with the Lord. Do you have that same encouragement? If not, you can today if you put your faith in Christ.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Thessalonians 1-3
