Bible League: Living His Word Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.Our verse for today is a benediction that the Apostle Paul pronounced over the Thessalonian church to which his letter was addressed. What, exactly, is a benediction? A benediction is a blessing that is pronounced by a church official over an individual or group of church members. Benedictions are usually pronounced after a church service of some kind. In this case, Paul pronounced his benediction at the end of his letter. Paul's benediction is that the Thessalonian church would have the peace that comes from the "Lord of peace." "Peace" should be taken in this context in an all-inclusive sense. It is peace with the Lord Himself, with the people of the LORD, and with people outside of the church. The LORD is the giver of peace because He has established peace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Paul, thusly, is pronouncing one of the blessings that come from faith in Jesus Christ. His benediction is that the blessing of peace will be operative for the Thessalonian church "at all times." Peace is not something that we need only some times. We need it all the time. We need perpetual peace with the Lord, with the church, and, since persecution is a real possibility in this dispensation, with those outside the church. When you think about it, perpetual peace is probably one of the highest blessings that Paul could have pronounced over the church. His benediction is also that the blessing of peace will be operative for the Thessalonian church "in every way." Peace is not something that we only need in some ways. We need it in every way. We need every kind of peace there is with the LORD, with the church, and with those outside the church. We need peace for now and for all eternity in every way, shape, and form. We will still have to contend with discord and disharmony if we only have peace in some ways and not in others. Paul began his letter by giving thanks to the LORD for the Thessalonians (II Thessalonians 1:3) and he closes the letter with the blessing "The Lord be with you all." Today, may the LORD of peace grant you peace at all times and in every way, and may He be with you wherever you go and in whatever you do. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 28, 29 Proverbs 28 -- The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 29 -- He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Corinthians 7 2 Corinthians 7 -- We have opened our hearts to you; Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.Insight Because of Christ's death and resurrection, his followers need never fear death. That assurance frees us to enjoy fellowship with him and to do his will. Challenge This will affect all our activities—work, worship, play, Bible study, quiet times, and times of caring for others. When you know that you don't have to fear death, you will experience a new vigor in life. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 148:14 A people near unto him.The dispensation of the old covenant was that of distance. When God appeared even to his servant Moses, he said, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet;" and when he manifested himself upon Mount Sinai, to his own chosen and separated people, one of the first commands was, "Thou shalt set bounds about the mount." Both in the sacred worship of the tabernacle and the temple, the thought of distance was always prominent. The mass of the people did not even enter the outer court. Into the inner court none but the priests might dare to intrude; while into the innermost place, or the holy of holies, the high priest entered but once in the year. It was as if the Lord in those early ages would teach man that sin was so utterly loathsome to him, that he must treat men as lepers put without the camp; and when he came nearest to them, he yet made them feel the width of the separation between a holy God and an impure sinner. When the gospel came, we were placed on quite another footing. The word "Go" was exchanged for "Come;" distance was made to give place to nearness, and we who aforetime were afar off, were made nigh by the blood of Jesus Christ. Incarnate Deity has no wall of fire about it. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," is the joyful proclamation of God as he appears in human flesh. Not now does he teach the leper his leprosy by setting him at a distance, but by himself suffering the penalty of his defilement. What a state of safety and privilege is this nearness to God through Jesus! Do you know it by experience? If you know it, are you living in the power of it? Marvellous is this nearness, yet it is to be followed by a dispensation of greater nearness still, when it shall be said, "The tabernacle of God is with men, and he doth dwell among them." Hasten it, O Lord. Daily Light on the Daily Path James 1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. James 1:6,7 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. • For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Ephesians 4:14,15 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; • but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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