READING: Song of Solomon 4-6, 2 Thessalonians 1
It’s painful to read.
It pushes us in directions we don’t often want to go.
It reminds us of a truth we’d usually prefer to forget.
It’s just sobering.
“It” is the picture of eternal judgment Paul paints as he writes to the Thessalonians. He encourages them with the promise of God’s blessings on His own at the return of Jesus, but he also reminds them of this reality as he writes of judgment: “. . . when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength” (2 Thess 1:8-9).
Consider this truth: the holy God exacts just, fiery judgment on those who do not follow Him. The penalty is eternal. The judged will be forever separated from the Lord. They’ve rejected God, and He now rejects them.
Sobering, indeed – and surely a call for broken hearts over lostness accompanied by intentional proclamation of the gospel.
PRAYER: “Remind me, God, of the truth of eternal judgment. Motivate me to share the gospel more.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Song of Solomon 7-8, Psalm 127, 2 Thessalonians