1 Thessalonians – Week 8 – Day 2

READ 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

This is another passage that directly says what God’s will is for believers. “Always” be joyful. How does one “never stop praying”? The original word in the Greek New Testament was used of an incessant cough. One is to pray at frequent intervals throughout the day. How can one be thankful in “all” circumstances? The commands in these verses are possible only as the believer realizes he serves a sovereign God who loves and wants the best for every Christ-follower. 

REFLECT 

Do you have confidence that God wants the best for you? Without this assurance you will struggle with difficult circumstances. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 8:28-29 to see what God is doing and what the ultimate plan is for believers—to be like the Lord Jesus.