READ 2 Thessalonians 1
Because God will avenge the righteous, we should be patient during times of persecution.

INSIGHT
“This world is not my home. I’m just passing through. If heaven’s not my home, O Lord, what would I do? The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” We are not of this world; we are sojourners and pilgrims. This world will deal with us unkindly; we cannot expect it to be otherwise. If we insist on getting our meaning or justice in life only from what comes to us in this world, most of us will be gravely disappointed. Complete justice for us will come only “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (v. 7).

PRAYER
The Lord gives us a home in heaven with Him, and so we praise Him for this wonderful gift to us:
Let the whole earth tremble before him.
The world is firmly established;
It cannot be shaken.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice,  
And let them say among the nations,
 “The  Lord reigns! ”
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel  
From everlasting to everlasting.”
Then all the people said,
“Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
(1 Chronicles 16:30-31, 34, 36).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
He will not always accuse us
Or be angry forever.  
He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
Or repaid us according to our iniquities.  
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is his faithful love
Toward those who fear him
(Psalm 103:9-11).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
I delight to do your will, my God,  
And your instruction is deep within me
(Psalm 40:8).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater faithfulness with your time
• The president, national leaders, national affairs
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable to you,  
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer  
(Psalm 19:14).