Devotion 11.13.26

1 Thessalonians 5

5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Our hope is found in Christ, the helmet for the hope of our salvation.

"We are in a spiritual war right now. A war for the soul of this country," I was told by a fellow believer who saw the spiritual battlefield in the public discourse. He was speaking to me as a public educator as he led a coalition of private schools.  

I taught history and as a reader and teacher of history, I've learned to not draw judgment too quickly on the "state of things." One thing I do know, which is scriptural, is that this "spiritual war" of which my friend speaks has found itself in the discourse of this world since close to the beginning of time, occurring sometime after God created, when Satan decided he was God and fell from God's created order. He found his way into God's creation and tempted Adam and Eve to "be like God, knowing good from evil," and when their eyes were opened, creation itself began to groan.

In Paul's time, Paul notes the ''state of things" in clear language, to be on guard because this day of Christ's return will come like a thief in the night. One thing Satan loves, and thrives on, is division. A house divided against itself cannot stand, but we can be divided within our own being, torn between this world and God's kingdom. Along with Peter, Paul notes we should be sober and of sound judgment, because Satan continues to prowl like a lion on the hunt.

Paul asserts we are children of the day, in the light of God's salvation, and as such, we should be ready for this spiritual war wearing the armor of salvation. God's Word is our sword, the two-edged sword of cutting/convicting and healing simultaneously. Those who hear God's Word are guided by the Holy Spirit to hear it and respond asking for forgiveness and living in light or to live another day in darkness.

We live each day sharing this Word, prayerfully asking God's Spirit to give us opportunities to share the light of the good news with a world in darkness. We know this day will come quickly, like a thief in the night, so we live intentionally, as children of the light.

Pray we live a life of intentionality, seeking the lost and using God's light of salvation in a world of darkness.

Amen.