Xanthe Hancox

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  1 Thessalonians 5:8

The truth about Christ’s second coming is that we cannot predict when it will be. A few earlier we read “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Jesus himself said, “About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).

It’s easy to get caught up looking for signs, but we shouldn’t worry too much about the precise timing as we wait in hope.

In fact, the Bible calls us to wait in active hope as we look forward to the day when Christ will come again. Being certain that the day of the Lord is coming is neither a cause for panic nor for complacency. Rather, we should be alert and watchful, putting on the armour of faith, love, and hope.

A soldier puts on armour to fight and to defend himself. What the breastplate and helmet are to a soldier's heart and head, such are faith, love, and hope to us. Faith enables us to endure the trials that we experience, love spurs us on to action, and hope helps us to anticipate the glory that shall be revealed.

And as we wait, we are invited to begin living already in the ways of heaven, as the Holy Spirit helps us.

Prayer: Lord, we look forward to the day when you will come again. May we use the time wisely to grow your kingdom. Thank you for the hope we have because of your gift of salvation. Amen.