Day 282

Jeremiah 12:1–14:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–2:8; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 24:30-34

TODAY, WE BEGAN Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica. The story of the establishment of this congregation is found in the book of Acts (Acts 17). Paul had previously been in Philippi, but persecution had become severe. He then traveled to Thessalonica, where in a very short and intense time, a church was planted. Unfortunately, a mob was stirred up against the church. Persecution broke out, and Paul and his traveling companions were spirited away in the night. This happened on Paul’s second missionary journey, and a few cities later, Paul found himself in Corinth, where he stayed for a year and a half. Corinth was probably where Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, around AD 50.

Paul longed to go back to Thessalonica to encourage and fortify the faith of the community, but when he was unable to go, he sent Timothy. When Timothy returned from Thessalonica and reported the good news that the church was staying true to the faith, Paul was exhilarated. His relief and joy are noticeable in the words of this letter, making it a very encouraging and personal epistle from the apostle to the Thessalonian believers.

Persecution made it impossible for Paul to spend much time among the Thessalonians. The forming community was under such duress that some of the believers had begun to question what Paul had taught them —especially about the afterlife of a believer. Paul addressed this and many other things in the letter, providing a more solid theological foundation from which the church could grow.

As with Paul’s other letters, 1 Thessalonians is a fascinating glimpse into the early church, because these letters are some of the earliest existing Christian documents. First Thessalonians teaches us to respect one another and remain passionate for God, even under the pressures of persecution.

In our reading from Proverbs today, we observed the neglect and disrepair of a vineyard and considered the plight of the lazy: “A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest —then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber” (Proverbs 24:33-34).

It’s not difficult to understand that if we do not maintain and care for our yard, it will become overgrown, unproductive, and unappealing. But we must also consider the spiritual implications. We often encounter the character trait of vigilance in Scripture, and weeding and cultivation are just as necessary within us as they are without. If we pay attention to this wisdom and are vigilant in our spiritual lives, we will not face the scarcity of spiritual poverty.

PRAYER:

Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.