“LEANING INTO GOD”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
FEBRUARY 20, 2022
READ: 1 Thessalonians 5 (Focus vs. 12–24)
MEMORY VERSE
“Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
BACKGROUND
Harriet Tubman couldn’t read or write. As an adolescent, she suffered a head injury at the hands of a cruel slave master.
That injury caused her to have seizures and lapses of consciousness for the rest of her life. But once she escaped slavery, God used her to rescue as many as three hundred others. Nicknamed “Moses” by those she freed, Harriet bravely made nineteen trips back to the pre-Civil War South to rescue others.
She continued even when there was a price on her head and her life was in constant danger. A devoted believer in Jesus, she carried a hymnal and a Bible on every trip and had others read her verses, which she committed to memory and quoted often.
“I prayed all the time,” she said, “about my work, everywhere; I was always talking to the Lord.” She also gave God credit for the smallest successes.
Her life was a powerful expression of the apostle Paul’s instruction to the earliest Christians: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
When we lean into God in the moment and live dependently in prayer, praising Him despite our difficulties, He gives us the strength to accomplish even the most challenging tasks.
Our Savior is greater than anything we face, and He will lead us as we look to Him.
INSIGHT
A fitting title for Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians might be “The Must-Read Letter.” Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:27: “I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.”
Paul wanted first-century believers in Jesus to embrace his Spirit-inspired instruction. And his timeless teaching continues to benefit believers today. Among other things, the book of Thessalonians can be viewed as a “primer on eschatology” (the biblical doctrine that concerns “last things”).
Each of the five chapters includes information related to Christ’s return. Commentator William Hendriksen notes: “It is a well-known fact that in 1 Thessalonians every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming. See 1:10; 2:19, 20; 3:11–13; 4:13–18; 5:23, 24.”
We must not lose sight of the day when Jesus will return and rule as the righteous Judge. Reading and following 1 Thessalonians will help prepare us for that day.
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How does spending time in God’s presence make you stronger? In what ways will you “lean into Him” today?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“I Can Do ALL THINGS Through Christ Who Strengthens”
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS
“When we lean into God in the moment and live dependently in prayer, praising Him despite our difficulties, He gives us the strength to accomplish even the most challenging tasks.”
PRAYER
“Loving and Almighty God, please help me to live every moment with You today and to receive the strength You alone can give.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST” Generation Unleashed – Hillsong
When the darkness tries
To hide my way
Your word is the light
That guides my faith
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
When my heart is weak
And I’ve lost my way
I will lift up my eyes
And choose to say
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I can do all things through Christ
I can move a mountain
If You are the strength of my life
I can do all things through Christ
If You are the strength of my life
In Your presence I find
Strength renewed
I found courage to stand
And a hope that is new
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I can do all things through Christ
I can move a mountain…
I can do all things through Chris…
Whenever trials come my way
I will worship You always
Forever trust in Your unfailing love
Whenever there is doubt or shame
I still hear Your voice within
Forever trust in Your unfailing love
I can do all things through Christ
I can do all things through Christ
…Through Christ
Through Christ…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
PSALMS 31-37
THE BOOK OF GALATIANS