September 21, 2021 – 1 Thessalonians 5

Paul begins chapter five: “Now concerning the times and the seasons” (5:1). Of course, he is particularly concerned to instruct the Thessalonians regarding the return of Christ and the fate of those who have already died. He assures them that both those who are alive and those who have died in Christ will be with him in eternity. But concerning the times and the seasons and the broader question of history, how often do we see people, in explaining the movement of history, write that it is “His story.” Seems a bit cliché-ist, doesn’t it? But, here’s the thing. It’s true! All of history really is His story, the story of the triune God working out his purposes. With faith in our heavenly Father, we can sing:

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;

sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!

Have you not seen all that is needful has been

sent by his gracious ordaining? -- Joachim Neander (1680)