A day to look forward to (1 Thess 4:17)

One thing that is undeniable is the amount of pain and suffering we experience or see others go through. How does this make you feel? Angry? Hopeless? Discouraged? If you are going through any of these emotions, I want to say that it is ok. We see time and time again men and women, giants of the faith go through such emotions and openly speak about it to God, like David, Job and Hannah. IT IS OK! It does not make you less of a Christian or weak a one, but an honest one.

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane was deeply distressed and troubled by the suffering that was to come his way. He said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14: 32 - 34).

I do not know about you but in these moments I need encouragement. And as I was reflecting on 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18, I found it. The apostle Paul reminds us, or shall I say, encourages us, that a day is coming when Jesus will open up the heavens and enter into our atmosphere, and we will be with him forever (17b). WOW! AMEN! This truth is absolutely certain. WE WILL be with the Lord forever. There is no doubt about this. It is exact, correct and effective. “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5: 24). 

And what can we expect when we are with the Lord forever? Peace, because he is the God of peace (1 Thessalonians 5: 23). I love how John puts it in Revelation 21ff. John saw a new heaven and a new earth where “God himself will be with them (us) and be their (our) God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

So when you survey the world and see brokenness or you yourself are broken, remember, it won’t be long until you are with the GOD OF PEACE, experiencing peace FOREVERMORE.

Amen and God bless