1 Thessalonians 5:24-25 "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (25) Brethren, pray for us."
Today, we will finish the book of 1 Thessalonians. I want us to think about the
faithfulness of God. Have you ever felt that God was leading you to do
something, but did not feel that you were able to accomplish it? Today's
passage of Scripture reminds us of a wonderful truth concerning our Lord.
He has already given us the ability to do that which He places on our hearts to
do. God is faithful. He always equips us when He sends us out.
How does He equip? First, He promises to be with us. We are equipped with His
presence. He has provided the complete armour of God for our protection. He has
given us the Word of God as our sword to fight the good fight of faith against
the adversary. Then He seals us with His promise of grace and mercy to
which He is always faithful.
We are in the week leading to Easter, so let us look at Jesus as the ultimate
example. Let's look at the words of our Lord concerning His death.
"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power
to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I
received of my Father." (John 10:18) We read as preparation was
being made to travel to Jerusalem, "From that time forth began Jesus to
shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many
things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be
raised again the third day." (Matthew 16:21) Yes, Jesus believed and
trusted the promises of the Father. But not only did He believe them in His
heart, His actions reflected that great trust and confidence. He
submitted Himself to the sufferings of the depraved humans who intensely hated
Him. Why? Because that was the purpose for which He came to this earth
and He was holding to the "commandment" (promise) of God that He
would be raised again. In His doing so, you and I have eternal life in our
Lord.
Peter stood on the day of Pentecost declaring this great truth. "Ye
men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among
you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of
you, as ye yourselves also know: (23) Him, being delivered by the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain: (24) Whom God hath raised up,
having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be
holden of it." (Acts 2:22-24) What do these verses tell us?
God had a purpose for His Son. God delivered Jesus for that purpose to be
accomplished. He came in total submission to the Father's will. He laid
down His life on the cross, "WHOM GOD HATH RAISED UP." God is
faithful. He was faithful to His Son and He is faithful to you and to me.
Will we take that precious truth and submit to God's will for our lives?