Daily Bible Plan

17. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Devotion: “The Day of the Lord – Like a Thief, but Not for Us”

📖 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV)

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🔍 Reflection

The apostle Paul speaks with urgency and clarity about the coming Day of the Lord—a day that will arrive unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. A thief doesn’t announce his coming. He moves in silence, choosing a time when people are asleep or distracted. In the same way, the Lord’s return will come at a time when many are spiritually unprepared.

But this analogy doesn’t mean Jesus is coming to steal from us. Instead, it emphasizes how sudden and unannounced His coming will be. Those who live in spiritual darkness—those distracted by worldly comfort or asleep in sin—will be caught off guard.

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✨ We Are Children of the Day

Paul doesn’t leave us in fear. He turns and speaks directly to the church:

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day.” – vv. 4–5

This is our identity—we are children of light, not of the night. We are not supposed to be surprised by the Lord’s return. If we are living in the light, walking with Jesus daily, we will be ready.

Paul urges us to stay spiritually awake and equipped. He says we should put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation. These are not just symbols—they are spiritual protections:

• Faith shields the heart against doubt and fear.

• Love keeps our motives pure and actions sincere.

• Hope guards our minds with confidence in Christ’s return and our eternal future.

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🙏 A Warning and a Comfort

Let this be a reminder: If the Lord’s return surprises us, it means we were not walking in the light. But if we are spiritually alert, clothed with the armor of faith, love, and hope, we will not be shaken.

Paul closes this teaching with a powerful truth:

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 (NKJV)

God’s plan is not to pour out wrath on us—but to bring us to salvation through Jesus. Whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (passed on), we will live with Him. This is our hope and our comfort. This is what we share with others as we encourage one another in the faith.

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✅ Today’s Call to Action

• Examine your life. Are you walking as a child of the day?

• Clothe yourself daily with faith, love, and hope.

• Encourage someone today. Share this reminder of hope and readiness with a brother or sister in Christ.

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🙌 Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that I am not appointed to wrath, but to salvation. Help me walk daily as a child of light, alert and ready. Clothe me with faith, love, and hope. Let me never grow dull in spirit, and may I encourage others as we wait for Your return. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Now open your bibles and read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and meditate on this scripture. Share your thoughts with us and forward to many people