Daily Reading February 17 2010 from 1 Thessalonians 3 NIV

Day 38

1 Thessalonians 3 NIV
1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. 6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Trials and Persecutions!
Chapter 3 is a relatively short section of this letter but the content is weighty. The Apostle Paul is trying to help this young church endure trials, sufferings, and persecutions. Paul mentions that he had concern about this church and when he couldn't wait any longer he sent Timothy to encourage the people and bring back a report. Paul's concern was that these trials and sufferings would cause some to fall and hurt the fledgling church. "I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless" here the Paul is voicing the reason for his concern. He realizes that since he had to leave prematurely that he was concerned that temptation and discouragement might set in and break up this young ministry effort. The persecution began while Paul and his missionary team were ministering in Thessalonica. The Jewish leaders became enraged as Paul began to win over new converts to Christianity and away from Judaism. Paul was accused of treason and forced to flee for his life. Jason a native of Thessalonica had been Paul's host and he was brought out before the mob and accused of aiding and abetting a traitor. These persecutions apparently continued even after Paul and the team had fled. In fact you can read where people from Thessalonica followed Paul to other locations again inciting riots and stirring up strife. I'm sure Paul hated to leave not knowing what would happen to his new converts therefore he sent Timothy to check on them. Timothy returned with a report that their faith had continued it seems this is often the case when a church is persecuted. Verse 6 states "but Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love" This news was enough to ease Paul's concerns therefore Timothy's trip not only satisfied Paul but also greatly encouraged this young church. Paul concludes with a word of longing to worship with them again and then a prayer of blessing. Verse 13 "May He (God) strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Paul again mentions the coming of the Lord as we often do when we begin to go through times of distress or difficulty. Any time I go to the hospital to visit and elderly saint one sure consolation is the prize that is just ahead of them. The Thessalonians must have taken solace and encouragement from these words because repeatedly refers to the Lord's coming through this first Epistle to these beloved people. Persecution is difficult for you and I to imagine in this free nation where we live but there are those around the world being killed for declaring the name of Christ. Why don't you take a few minutes today and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters just as the Apostle Paul did for the people of Thessalonica. Thinking of others and their persecution should serve to cause us to pray for our freedom to continue, to pray for others who don't have freedom, and cause us to praise God because we are so blessed.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry