End-Times Praise - January 17 Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

We are going to "enter the year with praise." Our January readings and devotionals will all focus on the goodness and grace of God. Get a journal or notebook to write down your thoughts every day. Our passages are shorter - please don't rush through them. Take time to meditate and consider why God is worthy of your praise.

Enter 2020 with the praise of God on your lips!

Today's Praise Passage:  1 Corinthians 15:50-58

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:

Death has been swallowed up in victory.

55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Through the Bible Reading: Genesis 35-36, Matthew 12:1–21, Psalm 10:5–11, Proverbs 3:1-2

Some of our readers want a little more "meaty" devotional, so I am including a link to the through Through the Bible in One Year readings we did last year. 

Devotional: End-Times Praise

Perhaps you clicked on this hoping for some kind of discussion of the timing of the Rapture, the identity of the Antichrist, the battle flow of Armageddon, or some other juicy detail of eschatology. Sorry, this is not that. I believe the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will return for us and that he will establish his kingdom here on earth and that in the end he will make all things new. I do not discount the necessity of studying the end times, even trying to figure out the details, but I believe we have often missed the point when we engage in those studies.

The evidence for that assertion can be found in the major passages that speak of end-times events. Like 1 Thessalonians 4, 2 Thessalonians 2, and other passages focusing on the end, this passage does not instruct us to sort out all the details or to construct intricate charts to explain the timing of the end. These passages do not foster speculation or conspiracy theories or panic. Every one of them ends with a similar admonition. 1 Thessalonians 4 tells us to encourage one another (to continue in the faith) with such words. 2 Thessalonians 2 ends with an exhortation to stand firm and a prayer that Christ would "encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word." 

1 Corinthians 15 is about the resurrection of Jesus. Because Jesus is raised we can have confidence that we too will be raised from the dead with him and that our faith is not in vain. The passage ends with the hope that our faith will be made complete, that our bodies will be resurrected and glorified - our faith will become sight! So, what should we do about this? Sell our goods and life in the desert awaiting the return of Christ? Of course not! We should be "steadfast, immovable" and "always excelling in the work of the Lord." Why? Because we know that our labor is not in vain. Jesus is alive and he will reward us. 

Your life may be hard today and you may be facing days that are getting harder, but know that serving the Lord is not in vain. You may not see the fruit you wish to see. Like Jeremiah you may be rejected and perhaps like Jesus and the Apostles, you may even suffer persecution, but God knows and God sees. Your fidelity will not be forgotten. Stand firm because this life is short and in eternity, God will reward you!

One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:18, which tells us that our current sufferings are nothing compared to the glories awaiting us when this life is over. It is worth it to serve Jesus no matter how hard it is, how much rejection and hardship you face, regardless of how people respond. Hold fast to Jesus and give him praise. 

Father, thank you for giving meaning even to our suffering!

Think and Pray:

Meditate on this passage and write down:

1. The character qualities of God for which you can praise him. 

2. The gracious acts of God for which you can give thanks to him. 

Are you experiencing pain and hardship for Christ?
Remember today that your labor for the Lord is not in vain. Thank him for his eternal faithfulness in this world.
Recommit yourself to serving his kingdom.