“Keep all arms and legs in the ride at all times.”  We’ve all heard it said many times while getting on a tram, roller coaster, and any ride at the local fair or theme park.  We get in line, wait, and look forward to the exhilaration of the ride to come.  When it is our turn, we get inside, listen to the instructions, and then grip on the handle in front of us and hang on for dear life.  Some rides take our breath away.  Some just send us around in circles.  Some jerk our bodies in ways that confuse us and make us wonder why we got on this ride in the first place.  But very soon, the brief ride is over.  We remember the final instruction was to remain seated until the “vehicle comes to a complete stop”—another rule of the ride.  We trust the ride built by humans and ridden thousands of times by other humans will get us from the beginning to end without harm.  That’s a lot of trust!

Paul gives the church(us) very important instructions for the ride of our lives!  This ride, the span of our lives on earth, is also brief and can be the wildest ride of our lives!  This wild ride of ups and downs can be full of joy in all circumstances or littered with bitterness and sadness.  It depends on who you choose and trust to sit next to you!

“Read carefully,” Paul advises, because the ride could get dicey and confusing if you allow the one who opposes God and wants to be God to ride with you. Whose hand are you gripping until you are safely home?   Who do you trust?

2 Thessalonians 2, The Message

The Anarchist

^1-3 Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don’t go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don’t let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master’s arrival has come and gone. Don’t fall for any line like that.

^3-5 Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a partner in crime with Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set himself up in God’s Temple as “God Almighty.” Don’t you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?

^6-8 You’ll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn’t mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don’t worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.

^9-12 The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.

^13-14 Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.

^15-17 So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn that the Deceiver will show his limited power in ways that will confuse us and make us wonder if really believe who God is and what Jesus, His Son has done for us.  Our trust in God will be put on the line many times throughout the ride of life.  What will our response be? 

Will we fall for the lies and behaviors that oppose God?  Or will we “get a grip” the Hand of Jesus and stand firm with God?

How will we know the difference between Truth and Deception?  Sometimes it is hard at first, so Paul helps us.  He reminds us that the one who sets himself up as God Almighty in God’s temple of His people on earth is the Deceiver whose only goal is to destroy our faith and trust in God.  God is the One and Only God to be worshiped and honored as God—the first “rule of the ride”!  (See Exodus 20 for the complete list)

Ask for God’s Holy Spirit of discernment in decisions; it’s a matter of life or death!  Look for behavioral signs that indicate the true heart of a person.  All the traits of Satan are manifested in the hearts of those against God and will soon be brought to the light of Day from a person who is the god of self—hate, arrogance, pride, envy, self-satisfaction—to name a few.  When we pause to seek Truth throughout the ride; we begin to see life from God’s perspective and view.  Then deception is easier to recognize with behaviors to avoid. 

With God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as our Father, Savior/Lord, and Helper, the ride is much more enjoyable—full of hope and unspeakable joy!

The promise of Jesus, Son of God;

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”—Jesus, John 14:15-21

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Jesus, Matthew 28:20

So, “stay in your seats with Jesus until the ride on earth comes to a complete stop!  The ride to eternal life will continue!  Pray without ceasing for wisdom and discernment.

Lord,

Thank you for saving my soul and preparing my heart daily for the ride of life with you!  You are God and no one else.  I will trust in you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

… You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go
You’ve not already stood

… When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You

(Songwriters: Lauren Daigle / Michael Farren / Paul Marbury; “Trust In You” lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing, Integrity Music)