Put On The Hope Of Salvation — 1 Thessalonians 5:6–11
Aug 28, 2026 26
Keep the hope of salvation at the forefront of your mind as you wait for Jesus to return.
[6] So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. [8] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. [9] For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. [11] Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:6–11 ESV)
Christians are children of light and children of the day, so Paul urges us to live like it.
Do not sleep as others do.
Keep awake.
Be sober.
Live as someone ready for the return of Jesus.
Paul then uses the picture of a soldier who is awake, armed, and ready. Put on faith and love as a breastplate, and put the hope of salvation on your head as a helmet.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Keep this hope at the forefront. Let it shield you and protect you.
Be constantly reminded that God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This hope remains solid even when the world around us is chaotic and uncertain.
Political changes, financial uncertainty, and life’s difficulties are real, but our hope in Jesus remains sure.
John Stott tells of a second-century letter written by an Egyptian woman named Irene to grieving parents. After expressing her sorrow, she concluded, “Against such things one can do nothing. Therefore, comfort one another. Farewell.”
Irene had nothing to offer as the basis of her comfort.
Paul says, “Encourage one another,” but his encouragement is built upon these words. Jesus died for us. Our future is salvation. Whether we are awake or asleep when he returns, we will live with him.
The Good News Is…
If you are trusting in Jesus, God has not destined you for wrath, but for salvation. Jesus Christ died for us, bearing our sin and enduring judgment in our place, so that we might live with him.
The hope of salvation is not wishful thinking. It is a certain future secured by Jesus. Put that hope on as a helmet, encourage one another with it, and build one another up.
Reflection
What uncertainty is making it difficult for you to hold onto the hope of salvation today? Who could you encourage and build up by reminding them of the certain hope we have in Jesus?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited