1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 -- On Being Appointed to Salvation

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10


I like this. I know sometimes we get down on ourselves and think that we are destined to fail... foreordained to misery, or are just not good enough to bother trying for the whole heaven thing. These verses tell us that none of that negativity could be true though... we're appointed to salvation. Christ did what he did so that we could live together with him.  We are greatly loved... all of us, and God will work with us and help us to grow and change and *succeed* in being able to return to him.  Our job is to keep trying, and not to give up.

As part of not giving up, we're advised to "Rejoice evermore" and to "Pray without ceasing" (verses 16-17), which are also good reminders to keep turning to God for help, and also to work on finding the good, and finding ways to enjoy life rather than to curse it and hate it. :)

So, a couple more jobs, but still not as overwhelming as we often feel. :)  Today, let's look up with hope, having faith, and work on not giving up, but also some rejoicing in the glory that awaits us as we grow closer to God and to our best selves.