May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Out of baseball’s history comes this story: the game was tied with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The batter stepped into the batting box and made the sign of the cross on home plate with his bat. Yogi Berra was behind the plate; he wiped it off with his glove and said to the pious batter, "Why don't we let God just watch this game?"

Many Christians live according to this theology: God just watches us. And usually, we envision God watching us with a frown because we do not measure up. But Paul ends this letter, as he does most of his letters, with a blessing. These closes words are not a wish Paul has. He writes them out of a deep believe in God’s faithfulness, rooted in the Old Testament. Thus, he concludes, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.”

This theme of God’s faithfulness runs through the Old Testament. We can see it clearly in Joshua 1. Moses is dead, the desert lies behind the people and the strong walls of Jericho stand before them. Naturally, Israel is in crisis. Joshua is to lead. But he is so young. So inexperienced. If only Moses was still alive.

But God says, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you…Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7-9).

Moses is dead; but God’s promises are not. There's no loss of momentum because it was never about the faithfulness of Moses, nor the faithfulness of the nation. It was always about the faithfulness of God and his promises to his people. Israel’s story is primarily about God’s purposes and his promises.

First Thessalonians is primarily about the gospel and the church. The church proclaims the gospel, and the gospel forms the church. But as we know, the world, the devil and our own flesh are arrayed against the gospel and the church. Often, we flounder more than we flourish. Our enemies are strong. But our God is stronger. And he is faithful. He is the God of peace, shalom. He will build his church, after all, he died for us and has infused us with his Holy Spirit and grafted us into himself. He will sanctify us through and through. He will keep us in good working order: set apart for his service.

Thank God that our sanctification is not dependent on our feeble efforts but on the strong faithful work of our God. When God calls, he always provides. God keeps his promises. We can rely on his steadfast love, which never fails but endures for ever.

God does not sit in heaven watching and wandering if we will make it. He is actively at work in our lives, making us holy for his own glory.

So, as you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24,28 The Message).