Ready For The Day Of The Lord — 1 Thessalonians 5:1–5
Aug 27, 2026 18
A Christian is always ready for the day of the Lord because their trust is already in Christ.
[1] Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. [2] For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. [5] For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:1–5 ESV)
When will Jesus return? Will we be ready for that day?
Paul says that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. It will be unexpected and unwelcome for those who do not know Jesus.
People may think that they are living in peace and security, with nothing coming to disturb them. But sudden destruction will come, and they will not escape.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
But Paul says something very different to Christians: “You are not in darkness.”
The day will not surprise them like a thief because they are already children of light, children of the day. A Christian is always ready for the day of judgment. Why? Because our trust is already in Christ.
Our trust is already in what Jesus accomplished at his first coming: his life, his death, and his resurrection. We do not need to know the date or hope that we can quickly put our lives in order at the last minute.
Because we are already trusting Jesus, we can be confident when he comes again.
So live like you are ready. You are not a child of darkness. You are a child of light, so live as a child of light.
The Good News Is…
Our confidence on the day of judgment does not rest on our ability to predict when Jesus will return or to do enough good things before he comes. Our confidence rests on the finished work of Christ. Jesus lived for us, died for us, and rose again. When our trust is in what Christ accomplished at his first coming, we can face his second coming safe, secure, and full of hope.
Reflection
Are you ready for the day of the Lord? Is your confidence resting in Christ and what he has done? What would it look like for you to live as a child of light today?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited