Encourage, for we are of the Light

Others may sleep, but we should stay awake and be alert.

--- The Bible

Since we don't live in the darkness, but in the light, we're not gonna be surprised when our Lord comes on down, like a Grave Robber. Paul exhorts us to stay awake and alert, and not to be drunk and asleep, unlike the people of the night, in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11.

He continues by saying that when Jesus comes, it wouldn't matter whether we are dead or alive - we're all gonna be with Him. And for this reason alone, we need to help and encourage the believers around us.

Apparently, the hope of us being saved, should be worn like a helmet. So, let's!!!

Grave Robber

My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who
have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't
have any hope.

--- The Bible

Petra, in their 1983 hit single, Grave Robber, sing "Where is thy sting, tell me, where is thy bite? When the Grave Robber comes, like a thief in the night!" And truly, the only sting of death is the intense pain of separation. This pain is nullified if we know we're gonna see our loved ones pretty soon... Looking at verses 13-15 of the 4th chapter of Thessalonians, we see Paul trying to let the Thessalonians know exactly how it's gonna be. As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have no doubt that we're all gonna be raised from the grave (or we'll rise like phoenixes from the ashes, if we've been burnt!) But how well do we base our faith and our lives on this hope, so that we are not too let down by the death of a dear one?

Personally, I think the correct response is summed up by the Jars of Clay hit single The Valley Song - "I will sing of Your mercy that leads me through valleys of sorrow and leads me to rivers of joy."

Amen.