July 5
The Lord
Will Come
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Daily Steps
Uncertainty about the future—specifically the end of the world—is a major anxiety producer. This passage provides the new believer with the definitive, spectacular event that guarantees ultimate peace: The Lord himself will come down from heaven.
The peace in this promise is found in His certain return:
The Spectacular Return: Jesus’ return will not be secret or subtle; it will be with a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. This majestic, world-altering event ensures that the promise of hope (Day 175) is entirely credible and secured by divine power.
The Resurrection and Reunion: At His coming, the dead in Christ will rise first, receiving their glorious, imperishable bodies (Day 185). Then, believers who are still alive will be caught up together with them to meet Christ. This reunion is the ultimate victory over death and separation.
The Result is Eternal Presence: The ultimate destination is the source of all consolation: "And so we will be with the Lord forever." This is the final and eternal peace with God (Day 174). No more separation, no more struggle, only the unhindered presence of Christ. This certainty provides peace in every present trial.
Your peace in the unseen world is secured by Christ's Second Coming. Fix your hope on the certain return of the Lord, for you will be with the Lord forever.
Reflective Question
If you knew that The Lord himself will come down from heaven in the next week, how would that certainty change your anxiety about your current job, financial situation, or relationship conflict? How can you live today with that same perspective?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I sometimes live as though this life is all there is. I pray for the faith to rest in the magnificent promise that The Lord himself will come down from heaven.
Fill my heart with the hope of the resurrection and the guaranteed truth that I will be with the Lord forever. Secure my peace today in the consolation of eternity. Amen.
