DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
READ: 1 Thessalonians 4 (Focus vs. 13-18)
MEMORY VERSE
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
BACKGROUND
The call from my mother came around 9 p.m. “It’s about your dad,” she said. “He’s gone.” While I’d been expecting this call for days and was relieved my father was no longer in pain, the news still hit hard. I sobbed deeply as grief took its course over the following days and weeks.
While losing my father was hard on us all, it was particularly hard for some of my unbelieving family members. To their understanding, Dad was gone forever. It was then that I realized how believing in Jesus helps us to grieve.
Paul explained it this way: Since Jesus rose again from death, those who believe in Him will one day rise again too (1 Thessalonians 4:14). This will happen on the day He gathers us up to spend eternity together with Him (vv. 16-17).
Paul tells us this “so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (v. 13). Knowing I will see my father again brings comfort amidst the tears.
Scripture never promotes griefless loss. Even Jesus wept for a dead friend he knew would return to life (John 11:34-44). And sometimes we don’t know what a loved one believed before they died.
Still, our grief has a safety net. Because of Him, we will see our believing loved ones again, and we can entrust all into His care.
Sheridan Voysey
INSIGHT
Grieving the loss of a loved one is a natural and necessary process that takes time. With death can come gut-wrenching pain and heartache. But in 1 Thessalonians 4, we’re instructed not to grieve like “the rest of mankind”—nonbelievers—“who have no hope” (v. 13).
Our grief is made more bearable because the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, is with us (John 14:15-17); and we have the assurance of one day being reunited with our believing loved ones and of enjoying our Savior together, forever.
Believers in Jesus know this life isn’t all there is. We have the promise of eternal life (3:16). Our loved ones are safe in Christ’s arms, and we can entrust them into His care. One day we’ll be reunited and “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
When have you realized the power of hope in Christ?
How do you think that hope differs from the world’s idea?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s
Post)
“Scripture never promotes griefless loss…And sometimes we don’t know what a loved one believed before they died. Still, our grief has a safety net. Because of Him, we will see our believing loved ones again, and we can entrust all into His care.”
PR’s TAKE
“Grief is painful, But God has a plan for each of our lives. His plan is good and includes hope and a future.” Anonymous
“My faith rests not in what I am, or shall be, or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is doing for me.” Charles Spurgeon
“My dear friend when grief presses you to the dust, worship there.” Charles Spurgeon
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, thank You that my loved ones who believed in You are held safe in Your arms even in death, and one day You’ll bring us together again.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“PASS ME NOT O GENTLE SAVIOR”
Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry…
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry…
Thou, the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me;
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heav’n but Thee?
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
