Only two possibilities exist: life or death, heaven or hell, joy or gnashing of teeth, hope or gloom. The choice is not difficult. That’s why many in Thessalonica had turned to the living and true God, away from idols, demons, doom, and the terror of death.

New priorities and activities marked them. Serving the living and true God, instead of being held in bondage to demons and sin. These new believers enjoyed serving God as His bondslaves. Formerly without hope, they now had a real hope: eagerly waiting for the return of the Son of God, just as He had promised. Their service as God’s bondmen was spontaneous, wholehearted, energetic. Serving the living God was a happy reality, not fearful or slavish, but expressed with the joy of a sure hope. In a world without hope, they expected His soon return, but with the privilege, meanwhile, of being His useful and devoted servants.

As they were serving the true and living God, they also were waiting with expectation. Indeed, God’s Son will return from heaven to take us there, too. Perhaps today! He has promised to do so (1 Th. 4:14–18; Phil. 3:20–21). Instead of fearing God’s wrath, believers may enjoy a beautiful relationship with Him already now, experiencing true love and liberty. This is a present reality because of who our God is.

Today, let us serve Him while we wait for His Son to return. The God who delivers from the wrath to come, gives eternal life to those who repent and turn to Him. He is the God we can count on. He does not deceive and never disappoints, because He is faithful! Are you also serving Him?