Welcome my internet friend, how in the world are you? Are you confused by the decaying of our culture, moral values and shrinking economy? Are you dealing with medical issues that challenge your future? God has more for each of us. In the midst of whatever we may be dealing with, God is present and ready to show us a way forward. Here is what Paul the apostle wrote to believers facing significant adversities.
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT
The Apostle Paul sent this letter to the new believers in Thessalonica knowing that they were paying a high price for their newly found faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the difficulties they were facing from the pagan culture of their time, their faith in Jesus continued to grow and became well known throughout the Greco-Roman world. Paul says in verse 5, "Therefore, among the churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."
In our increasingly anti-Christian culture, we can gain wisdom from this letter wherein Paul reminds us that God will someday bring justice and righteousness to light. God sees our trials and persecutions. "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well." vs. 5 God will return to bring judgment. "This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels." vs. 7
When Jesus returns, Paul says that God will be glorified in all of us who believe in Jesus Christ. This will be "on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed." vs. 10
When facing trials culturally, politically, or personally, we may take heart knowing God sees us, He will settle accounts with every injustice, adversity, pain and trial.
We will see a glorious day of victory through the return of our Savior.
All this leads us to consider Paul's prayer for the suffering Thessalonians in verses eleven and twelve. "With this in mind, (the preceding verses) we constantly pray for you." vs. 11a Paul prays for three things to happen in their lives and ours.
Firstly, "That our God may make you worthy of his calling" vs. 11b Every believer has a calling. We tend to see pastors and Bible teachers as fulfilling their "calling." And that is true. However, each one of us has a purpose to fulfill. As a "senior saint" seeing I will be seventy-seven in a few days, I can look back over some fifty-five years of ministry for the Lord and his world-wide cause. All this is true, but I still have a life to live however long or short that may be. This prayer is still useful to you and me. "May God make you worthy of his calling." You have work to do for Jesus and so do I. May the Lord show us what it is and enable us to do it.
Secondly, Paul prays, "and by his power may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness." vs. 11c God has a will for us which makes considerable room for our choices: "Your every desire." What do you desire from and for the Lord? My desires are three this morning, 1. I want to live a life pleasing to the Lord. 2 I desire to serve the Lord Jesus faithfully. 3 I want to live a Spirit empowered life.
Thirdly, we read, "and your every deed prompted by faith." vs. 11d I find this an interesting statement. There is a wide range of "deeds" to be done! And it says, "every deed." There's lots of room here for creativity and spontaneity. "Your every deed" can mean a wide range of activities. I think God is giving each of us room to be thoughtfully creative. What prompts you today? Political rage for things not going you way? Fear of what may happen with the national debt bigger that one can comprehend? Fear of future medical challenges and setbacks? No! Let's take God at His word. Remember it is "by His power" that our chosen desires and worthy deeds come to reality and blessings flow freely.
Paul closes his pray saying, "We say this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him. according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.: vs. 12 He brings us back to what he said above. There is glory ahead!
Whatever your trial: personal, family, medical, social or political, God may be trusted to bring around justice and righteousness in glorious blazing beauty. So, let us not be discouraged or passive. Rather, let's be boldly confident in our God who sees, acts, and blesses His own. There's glory ahead!
Comments