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 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings.Christian, you ought not to dread the arrival of evil tidings; because if you are distressed by them, what do you more than other men? Other men have not your God to fly to; they have never proved his faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear: but you profess to be of another spirit; you have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things; now, if you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace which you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess? Again, if you should be filled with alarm, as others are, you would, doubtless, be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do? Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Your wisest course is to do as Moses did at the Red Sea, "Stand still and see the salvation of God." For if you give way to fear when you hear of evil tidings, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure which nerves for duty, and sustains under adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but will your doubting and desponding, as if you had none to help you, magnify the Most High? Then take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 1 Corinthians 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 1 Corinthians 15:56,57 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; • but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. John 8:36 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 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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