9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.REFLECTIONSWritten by Tara SingIn amongst fears and uncertainty about what the Day of the Lord will look like, Paul says that we have salvation to look forward to through Jesus. When I remember that the reason God does not appoint us to suffer wrath is because God appointed Jesus to suffer it on our behalf, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. It is a sober reminder that it is only by the grace of God that I receive salvation, and that it was I, not Jesus, who deserved to be on the cross.These three short verses are filled with hope. Not only do we have salvation in our future instead of wrath, we are called to be God's family and live together with Christ. Our response to this hope should be joyfulness, and to encourage others. So what might it look like to encourage one another and build each other up? When I was a teenager, my friends and I went through a phase of constantly saying to each other "Guess what?" "What?" "Jesus is coming back!" While this was a fun thing to say to each other for a while, it's not what Paul means here.Over the past fifteen years that I've been a Christian, I'm thankful for the constant encouragement I have received from other Christians. I have been built up by so many. The truly encouraging moments have been when I've been faced with great disappointment and people have prayed with me. When I've faced difficulties and people have reminded me of the unchanging truths of God and the Bible. When I've been caught in sin and people have gently and lovingly pointed out what I need to repent of, and have then stuck by my side to help me do so. When I've been in despair, and people have pointed me to the certain hope of eternity with God.As we wait for the day of our salvation, and give thanks that Jesus died for us, let's continue to encourage one another and build each other up through sharing prayer, the truth of the Bible, and walking alongside one another as we seek to glorify God. Who can you pray with and for today? Who can you share Scripture with? Who can you walk alongside through hardship? Let's pray that God would give us what we need and make us a church who encourages and builds each other up. ABOUT THE AUTHORTara is part of our Bossley Park Morning Church.