For
God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger
on us. Christ
died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live
with him forever. So encourage each other and build each
other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Yesterday, my wife tells me that I do not want to spend time
with her. I look incredulous. This is the woman I have spent over thirty
years my life getting to know, and I absolutely have so much fun talking and
being with her. But I must have done
something wrong that I need to address, right?
Then, my daughter decides she does not want to talk to me about
school. Parents, you might know this
drill very well. Kent asks, “How was
school today?” Daughter answers,
“Fine.” Kent asks, “What happened?” Daughter responds, “Nothing.” Great!
She is in ‘one word answer’ mode.
This sounds like fun! So I am now
coming home to a wife who feels unloved and a daughter who looks at me like I’m
Hannah Montana now converted into Miley Cyrus.
And now I’m supposed to write a devotional? What could I possibly write about? Let’s try . . . encouragement and motivation?
We are to be both encouraged and motivated always knowing
that we have been given this most precious gift of eternal life. Some of us might ask ourselves why life is
not fair or why we are dealing with such anguish and strife. However as Paul points out, it could be far
worse. God did not choose to pour out
His wrath on us like the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah, the floods of Noah’s
time, the fall of Israel at the hands of Babylon, or other possibilities. In fact, he chose to offer His son so that we
might be able to live up to the hope that He has for each and every one of us;
that our faith and love might be on fire like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
for Him sharing the message of Christ and encouraging others. So while we may lament in the troubles of
this world, we serve a most awesome and almighty God, who would look at each of
us and say, “I believe in you even if you might not yet believe in
yourself.” How can one not be encouraged
knowing this?
It is incredibly difficult to be enthusiastic when there are
so many things working against us, but we should not be discouraged. Jesus said, “Here on
earth you will have many trials and sorrows, But take heart, because I have
overcome the world.” (John 16:33b).
So while you may have trials and sorrows, I would encourage you saying God
is with you every step of the way. He is
true to His word, and will never either leave or forsake you. Furthermore as Paul says, be encouraging to
others for God may be prompting you for His purpose. How can God’s undying love and faith in you
be of encouragement today? Who can you
encourage with the message of Good News?
My prayer is that God’s faithfulness be of both encouragement to you
and motivation for you. Amen.
