"Like a Thief in the Night" October 25 Readings: Lamentations 1, 1 Thessalonians 5, Psalm 119:49–52, Proverbs 26:5–6

Today's Readings - Lamentations 1, 1 Thessalonians 5, Psalm 119:49–52, Proverbs 26:5–6

Devotional - Like a Thief in the Night

Jesus could come today.

Well, he could!

No, I'm not predicting it. In fact, I'm sick to death of the crazies who ignore the Scriptures that promised us that no one would know the day or the hour and keep embarrassing the church (and those of us who believe in the imminent return of Christ) with their ill-informed, anti-biblical predictions.

Paul made it pretty clear in 1 Thessalonians 5 that Jesus would come "like a thief in the night." They seldom phone ahead and set an appointment.

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

It is going to be a big surprise, that fateful day when God's end times work begins and the judgment of God is poured on in the terrible "day of the Lord." 

But Paul says something strange in the next verse (4) that is confusing. 

 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. 

Wait a minute. The day is coming like a thief in the night, but we are not to be surprised as by a thief? Huh? The solution is simple. Paul was not confused. He was making an important point. You are never going to know when the end is going to come. The Early Church expected it every day, but its now been two thousand years and no Jesus. But that doesn't matter. I am supposed to live today, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that in constant watchfulness, readiness, waiting for Jesus and living my life to the fullest. We are not to sleepwalk through life, but should be living daily in the fullness of the Spirit walking in his power. Look at verses 5 and 6. 

 For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. 

Keep the lights on. Be awake. Be sober. Be ready. It may be today. It may not. But when that day comes when the trumpet sounds, don't let it catch you napping. Live each day in Christ. 

Paul finishes his book with a long series of short admonitions. They seem to be separated from the previous passage, and usually have a separate heading. But what if they are not completely separated? Maybe these admonitions are also a template for living in readiness in an evil world? Maybe verses 14-22 are an instruction sheet for "thief preparations" - getting yourself ready for that day when the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 

And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

That's a pretty good way to live every day as you wait for the heavens to open, the trumpet to sound, the dead in Christ to rise, then we who are alive and remain to be caught up together with him in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air!

Father, what a day that will be! Help me to be ready every day for that day. That great and glorious day. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you live your life with an eye toward the Blessed Hope of Christ's coming?
If Christ were to return today, would you be ready or filled with regret?