THE READINGS

Psalm 30 · Isaiah 8:1-15  

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

14 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Luke 22:31-38  

31 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”

35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.”

MEDITATION

For some of us, the idea that Christ is going to return inspires laziness. What does it matter what we do now? After all, Christ is coming soon and He is going to fix it all, right? But Paul warns us against idleness.  And Paul claims to have worked night and day, so as not burden any of the Thessalonians.

Knowing that Christ is going to return should actually inspire us to work. Think about it. When He returns, what will He find us doing? Will we be about “the Father’s business,” doing those “good works which He prepared in advance for us”? Where will our focus and efforts be concentrated on the day He visits us?

As Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. “ Let us do His work today.

- Jon Ziegler

PRAYER

Ask God to remind you of the work that He has called you to and perhaps to show you new work that He is preparing for you.