PBPC Advent Devotional, Week 1 - Wednesday
Week One – Hope
Wednesday
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. (NRSV)
During Advent we remember that God came to earth in Jesus and we celebrate that. But we also remember his promise that he will come again on 'the day of the Lord.' Because we trust his faithfulness to keep his promises, we trust this promise too. As Paul says here, it is as inevitable as a woman giving birth after her labor pains start. This gives us hope that God is working his purpose out, even when our vision gets foggy.
How do you feel about the imminence of 'the day of the Lord'? Do you anticipate it with eagerness or dread? Is there anything you want or need to do to get ready?
Daily Practice
Pray the Lord's Prayer. 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done.'
