November 7, 2025 

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 encourages believers not to grieve as those without hope, assuring that the dead in Christ will rise first and that we will be together with the Lord forever. Comfort One Another is the reminder that Christian grief is real, but it is never without resurrection hope.

Devotional: 

Grief is love with nowhere to go—or at least, that’s how it feels. Paul knew this when he wrote to the Thessalonians, who were worried about loved ones who had died before Christ’s return. He didn’t scold them for sorrow; he offered something stronger: hope.

He reminded them that death does not mean disconnection. “The dead in Christ will rise first,” he said, “and then we who are alive will be caught up together with them.” Together—that’s the key word. The reunion Paul describes isn’t vague comfort; it’s a concrete promise that no member of Christ’s body will ever be left behind.

The communion of saints rests on that assurance. Those we’ve lost are not asleep in forgetfulness—they are held in Christ, waiting for the day when every separation ends. We live now in what theologians call the “already and not yet”—already united in love, not yet reunited in sight.

And in the meantime, Paul gives us a calling: “Encourage one another with these words.” When we comfort others, we are doing more than being kind; we are proclaiming the truth that heaven’s healing has already begun. Hope isn’t denial—it’s trust that God’s promises are mending this world one heart at a time.

Action: Reach out to someone who’s grieving this week and remind them gently: You are not alone. Love hasn’t let go. 

Prayer: God of all comfort, fill our hearts with hope that outlasts grief. Thank You for the promise of resurrection and reunion. Make us bearers of encouragement, proclaiming that death never has the final word. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Thought for the Day: Grief is real, but God’s promise is stronger. Hope turns mourning into assurance that love endures forever.