Turning to God
You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:9–10
Turning to God
The believers in Thessalonica had turned to God from all kinds of idols. We sometimes say that they turned from the idols to God, which is true. But the way it is written emphasizes God’s greatness, in contrast to the idols. This is not an unimportant matter, because it shows the secret of the salvation of these new believers. The true and living God had attracted them in such a powerful way that idols completely disappeared from their view.
The prophet Isaiah clearly showed that God is the Source, Giver, and Sustainer of life (Isa. 41). No one compares to Him or can compete with Him! The living God is the only true God. He is unique, impossible to imitate, for there is no one like Him. Besides always taking care of this vast universe, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). Does that not show how great He is? What about the next statement the psalmist made? “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (v. 4). This is mind-boggling, and it leads us to worship Him, as the psalmist exclaimed, “Great is our Lord, and of great power; His understanding is infinite” (v. 5). Omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent! Furthermore, “The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground” (v. 6). His care of the humble and lowly ones is amazing, always in tune with His righteous judgment. His love is in tune with light, and His light with true love. With God, there exists no compromise, nor is there any possible failure with Him who is light and love (1 Jn. 1:5; 4:8). How great is our God, the living God, the Giver of life, who even raises the dead. Therefore, turn to Him!
Alfred E. Bouter
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