But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 NIV
Not in Darkness
A recent study shows that the deadliest time is midnight-1:00 a.m. Homicide figures stayed relatively high until 3 a.m. More than one-third of all violent crime committed by youth occurs between noon and 5 p.m. In comparison, 30% of all violent crime committed by adults occurs between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Almost all types of personal and household crimes are more likely to occur during the warmer months of the year. Statistical studies show very uniformly that crimes against property reach a maximum in winter months.
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We are told by historians that before the invention of electric light, the world at night was terrifying. A person out at night never knew what horrors were hiding in wait for unsuspecting. In his first epistle to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul tells them about the return of Jesus, and that it will come unexpectantly, like a thief in the night. He then says this, to the followers of Jesus: “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” There is a great difference between living in darkness and living in light. Darkness breeds fear. It clouds our judgment. It causes us to stumble over things that, in the daylight, would never trip us up. But Paul gently reminds the believers — and reminds us — that we are not in darkness. The Day of the Lord will not overtake God’s children as a thief because we belong to the Light. We have been awakened by grace. Our eyes have been opened by Christ. Today, walk in the light you’ve been given. Stay close to Jesus. And remember — children of the Light are never caught off guard.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley