A Thief in the Night

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

Many of us who have been imprisoned know one or more folks who were professional thieves. I suppose most everyone is a thief in some regard if they have ever stolen anything, large or small. But I am thinking of someone who has a lot of experience and didn’t get caught.

Usually, a thief wants to get in quickly when no one is watching, perhaps while everyone is asleep. They arrive suddenly when no one is expecting them. If someone had been up, alert, waiting and watching, they would not be surprised or caught off guard.

The day of the Lord will come when no-one is expecting. In a spiritual sense, most of the world will be asleep. They will most definitely be surprised. This day is fast approaching. See July 24 devotional.

Jesus said no one knows the date or hour, only the Father; so Paul says, in verse 1, he does not need to address this specifically. Let us all be on guard, awake, watchful, and enthusiastically expecting the return of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus!

Are you ready?

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Tell the Father you look forward to the soon appearing of His Son, Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit what Kingdom business you should be accomplishing today.

Dive Deeper: Study 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.