As part of my morning devotion, I read a chapter of Scripture, noting what pops out and catches my attention. This is a technique known as lectio divina. Recently, in reading through 1 Thessalonians, this phrase caught my attention:
“… we will always be with the Lord.”1 Thessalonians 4:17b
Here, Paul is referring to the second coming of Christ, and how all the believers still living will be caught up into the heavens to be with Jesus forever– but what occurs to me is we don’t have to wait for that privilege–we are with the Lord right now! We, the chosen people of God, the church, are part of Christ’s body, and in that spiritual sense, we are always with Him.
When Jesus was about to be crucified, He promised His disciples that He would not leave them alone. He would send them:
“… another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…”John 14:16b-17a
This is the Holy Spirit, Who indwells us and guides us. This should be a continuing comfort and consolation during difficult times.
Our union with Christ is complete here and now. We are part of His body, and He is part of us. If we live in that reality, we are never alone; and we don’t have to wait!
For more lectio divina studies see:
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