Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Today’s Scripture Focus: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–25).
We are taking a temporary break from our sin recovery principles, which we will continue soon.
Pray for us! These are words by which to live, and they must be reciprocal. In light of the perplexities of human relations right now, have you committed to praying for people? As we prepare for and await the Second Coming of Christ, how diligent are you in seeking God’s face on behalf of others? This will be key in building bridges while others are burning them down.
Purified By The God Of Peace
Notice Paul’s benediction here. He invokes the God of peace to purify completely, dedicate, and consecrate his readers. Do you need to be purified, dedicated, and consecrated? He invokes the God of peace to consecrate his reader’s whole lives to be preserved blameless until Jesus returns. When was the last time you looked forward to Christ’s return? When was the last time, especially in the last few weeks, that you invoked the God of peace on behalf of others (all others, barring none)?
The reason I am taking my time walking through each step of this benediction is that there are extreme tests and trials that will continue to shake us. There is injustice that must be combated. There are oppressed for whom we must advocate. There are orphans, widows, and the downtrodden for whom we must do and require better.
Yet some of us (thankfully, not all of us) have lost focus as we struggle in this thankless, hateful, earthly predicament, and have forgotten that the devil intends for all of it to keep people from receiving eternal life. He intends for people to lose sight of the fact that, as Paul continues in his invocation, Jesus is indeed faithful and will preserve as blameless those who commit themselves to God’s care.
Press For Justice; Press For The Kingdom
He said He would do it. Do you still believe He will do it or do you believe like so many other desperate souls that looking forward to Jesus’ return is pie in the sky? Please resist with every fiber of your being, to be earthly kingdom-centric. If we did not learn but one thing from the lives of the disciples during Jesus’ time, I hope it was that Jesus will not overthrow all oppression in an earthly kingdom. So as you struggle to set the captives free and press for justice everywhere, please do also redouble your efforts to deliver as many souls from sin as we await the eternal, holy kingdom of God to replace the status quo forever.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah will soon roar and save every nation, kindred, tongue, and people that are preserved in His name.
In the spirit of Paul’s invocation, please pray for us as we pray for you. For this battle cannot be won without sincere, diligent prayer.
