Meditations in First Thessalonians
Lillian C. Curtis
November 1 GRACE
November 4 LOVE “Remembering . . . your . . . labour of love” (1 Thess. 1:3). “God’s love for lost humanity is called out of His heart by reason of the preciousness of each lost soul, precious because made in the image of its Maker, even though that image be marred by sin; precious because that soul can, through redemption, be conformed to the very image of His Son. The degree of preciousness is measured by the degree of self-sacri fice exhibited at the cross.”—Wuest. Oh, that we might be “rooted and grounded” in that love which is the very nature of our God! November 5 ELECTION “Knowing . . . your election of God” KL Thess. 1:4). “The doctrine of election teaches that God loved me before I advanced to Him; and that in everything in my life that is good, He is the divine and ever blessed -Beginner.”—Arthur T. Pierson. How wonderful to know that God is our Beginner! In His program of grace He has ever made the ad vance toward man. Man’s part is that of response to that great pro gram. We, Christians, have already responded to God’s offer of salvation; but we need also to recognize our Lord’s everyday mercies and provi sions for us, “the elect.” Our praise to Him should be perpetual. November 6 GOSPEL "Our gospel” (1 Thess. 1:5). Today, as never before, the Gospel, the good news of salvation, is being spread throughout America and other parts of the world by radio, tran scriptions, missionary aviation, Youth for Christ rallies, and scores of other methods. Are we praying for those who are spreading the good news of salvation? Do we give of our money to further this great cause? Would we be willing to enter any field of service into which Christ might lead us? These questions are vital to every Christian.
November 7 ASSURANCE "Our gospel came . . . in . . . much assurance” (1 Thess. 1:5). The Christian’s assurance is mani fold. The greatest is that of salvation: “He hath everlasting life.” Then, as Paul was to introduce the Gospel with “much assurance,” we may offer His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. We have the assurance o f victory when temptation comes to us: "God, which . . . causeth us to triumph in Christ.” The assurance of forgiveness for daily sins is ours: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful . . . to forgive us our sins.” “Ask, and ye shall re ceive” is the assurance of prayer. “In much affliction” (1 Thess. 1:6). It is precious to know that in the time of affliction we may cast our every burden “upon the Lord,” and that we need "fear no evil” because His “rod and . . . staff” are ready to “comfort” us. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” If we love Him, we are as sured that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” Again, how blessed it is to realize that in all our afflictions we may be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” ! November 9 HEAVEN “And to wait for his Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:10). Heaven is the eternal abiding place of all born-again believers. Jesus is the only way there. In Heaven there will be no more death,,sorrow, crying or pain. It is beyond our power to comprehend what Heaven will be like because “now we see through a glass, darkly,” but when we see our Saviour face to face, “we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is,” and that will be sufficient; therefore, let us endure the sufferings, trials and disappointments of this earthly life cheerfully, and with our spiritual sight always turned Heavenward. November 8 AFFLICTION
■ “Grace be unto you” (1 These. 1:1). Grace is not of works; it is the free mercy, the favor, of God. Charles H. Spurgeon said: “Great is the grace of God which forgives so many sins, and which at the same time, works in us to will and do according to God’s good pleasure.” A grace note in music is a small extra note which does not change the harmony or rhythm of the melody, but adds to its beauty. The extra things that we do for others are the grace notes on the staff of life. Are there many on your staff? November 2 INTERCESSION “Making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thess. 1:2). Abraham prayed for Sodom; Moses prayed for Israel; the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ make interces sion for us. Surely we ought to spend more time in intercession. Some weary Christian may have rest; another may have power in presenting the Word because we “make mention” of him in our prayers. “I really meant to pray that day, to speak that tender word, to sing ,a cheery song; but the day is past and gone, and a soul would have been helped that day, if only I had stopped to pray.”—Mercy Pietsch. November 3 FAITH “Remembering . . . your work of faith” (1 Thess. 1:8). The one who Has completely lost his faith in everybody and everything is most unhappy. We need to have faith in God as well as man. God of ten permits the removal of all physi cal and material support from our lives, thus challenging us to lean up on Him alone with unwavering faith. “Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith,” the faith which “cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Gfid.” Let uS have our faith strengthened by a closer relationship with the Author, and a more frequent listening to the Word.
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