NOV 26

1 Thessalonians 4:13
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 4:14
“…sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

At some point in your life thus far, you would probably have known of at least 1 person who has passed away. It could be an older relative, or it could even have been a friend. Such times of death and parting are certainly sorrowful and painful. But what should be the right response to death?

The Thessalonian Christians faced a similar situation. Most likely, several members of the church had recently passed away, causing much sorrow and grief in the church. That is why Paul had to address this issue in his first epistle to them – he didn’t want them to be ignorant about things associated with death, and so he wrote the letter to instruct them and comfort them (I Thessalonians 4:18). He taught them about the hope of resurrection and rapture so as to bring comfort and encouragement to their hearts. Today’s reading tells us that, when faced with the death of loved ones, we should “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope”. Note that this is not a cold-hearted command to have no sorrow at all; certainly, there is to be sadness and mourning when loved ones pass away. But the key thing to note here is that we are not to mourn as those who have no hope. What is the hope that is spoken of here? If you read on to the end of the chapter, you will find that it is the hope of the resurrection and eternal life. It speaks of a confident expectation of blessings, which come as a result of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you read through the book of I Thessalonians, you will find repeated promises and assurances of this eternal hope which believers have.

Of course, we know that this promise applies only to believers. For unbelievers, though, death marks not the beginning of a glorious hope, but of an endless suffering. Do you have many friends and loved ones who have not trusted in Christ for their salvation? May the Lord use you as an instrument to bring His salvation message to them, that they, too, might be partakers of this glorious hope together with you!

Thought: With Christ, an endless hope; without Christ, a hopeless end.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the right perspective on death.