2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NRSV)
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, Verse 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.
Verse 3Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. Verse 4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Verse 5Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?
Verse 13But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. Verse 14For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 15So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Verse 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, Verse 17comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Devotion
It's bad enough to be left out of something we have hoped for, let alone the fear that the Lord has returned and we have "missed the boat." The Thessalonians fretted: Had the "Day of the Lord" already arrived? Tenderly the writer speaks to the church at Thessalonica like a mother comforting a frightened child wakened by a nightmare, "There, there&mdashdon't be afraid..." For the church then, as for us today, should circumstances cause alarm and confusion reign, darkness is pierced when Christians give thanks in prayer. Dawn breaks as we remember in whose arms we are held and to whom we belong. We are chosen. We are called. God has set us apart for a holy purpose.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as this day begins, cloak me with your comfort and remind me of your constant presence. Strengthen me by your resurrection power and take me with you into the adventure of serving in the world this day, in your name. Amen.