September 20, 2022 - 2 Thessalonians 1-3

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us . . .” (2:1,2). The fear, among some, was that Jesus had already returned and that they had missed his return. But he had not and they had not. And in the meantime, Paul encourages them just to look to the Lord and rest in him: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (3:3). Similarly, Paul prays for his readers: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way” (3:16). Resting in Christ, now that's joy!

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face- what will it be

When with rapture I behold him,

Jesus Christ who died for me?

Face to face I shall behold him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by. --Carrie Ellis Breck (1898)