Today’s song is from the album “Painting the Invisible”, by Vicky Beeching - a song entitled “Suddenly”. Here are the opening lines:

Awaken us to see / The reality of eternity and feel it near / Awaken us to pray / As we watch and wait and anticipate with Holy fear / For the day you’ll return again / Is closer now than it’s ever been…

From start to finish it is a song of expectancy. Something is about to happen! Let’s be ready, vigilant, prepared - can I get another synonym? But she sings of watching and waiting and anticipating Jesus, revealed in glory. Not just watching for all God’s promises and all the prophecies ever made to be fulfilled - but watching for the presence of the king, the one we have placed all our hope on. For his return is not an end. It is a beginning - a beginning of sharing in eternal glory, surrounded by the light of the one who illuminates all of heaven.

This imagery - us living in the midst of heaven’s light is a repeating theme. As Paul tries to encourage believers at Thessalonica - as he tries to help them understand the hope they have in the Jesus’ return - he offers to them the fact that they are children of light and day. He wants them to recognize that they are to live in the light of this truth:

But you aren’t in the dark about these things [Jesus' return], dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be sober. Night is the time for sleep and the time when people get drunk. But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. He died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

Paul moves quickly from the theme of light and darkness and points them to the fact that they should have confidence in their salvation. They won’t be taken by surprise, because God will prepare us. They don’t need to fear the approach of Jesus - though he be the most powerful king ever. They can look to his return with joy. And so can we. Jesus’ return is not a threat of judgment for us, but an encouragement to put all our being into his will, into his activity, becoming like him in every way possible.

Suddenly, every eye will see / As you return in glory / Suddenly, every knee will fall / Before heaven’s coming King / Jesus, here we stand, lifting up our hands / Asking you to purify our lives / So on that glorious day / When we stand face to face / Unashamed, we’ll dance in heaven’s light

It is about hope. Jesus is coming back. When he returns, we get to experience him in all his splendor. Right now, we experience the power he displays through others. We even get a glimpse of Jesus as he empowers us. But one day, we will see him, crowned as king and receiving the praise that is his alone - from all. He is preparing us for that day so that we can stand before him unashamed.

application

Write down one thing you can do that you think would please God.  How is God trying to craft you in his image? What have you been resisting? Or avoiding?

parting thoughts

Paul, after encouraging the church about the approach of Jesus, goes on to share some things that will help them live a godly life. Here is a paraphrased list for you to think on:

Honor good workers and leaders.
Love them and be peaceful.
Don’t be lazy.
Help the timid to be bold.
Care for the weak.
Endure difficult people, no matter who they are.
Surprise people with mercy.
Be full of joy.
Pray. Then pray again.
Tell everyone, “thank you”. Including God.
Don’t sneer at God’s supernatural activity around you.
But test it to be sure that’s what it is.
Cling to the good things.
Run from the rest.