Day 283

Jeremiah 14:11–16:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:9–3:13; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 25:1-5

AT THIS POINT in 1 Thessalonians, Paul isn’t revealing grand vistas of faith or offering theological understandings. Right now, we have the privilege of simply reading encouraging words written to believers just like us.

The newly formed Thessalonian church had experienced opposition from its inception, and Paul was concerned that persecution would stamp out the work that had been done in their hearts —a continual burden Paul carried for all the churches. Paul told the believers in Thessalonica how deeply he and his companions desired to spend more time with them and of the attempts they had made. Unfortunately, these attempts had been unsuccessful. “That is why, when I could bear it no longer,” Paul explained, “I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless” (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Paul wrote this letter in part because he wanted the Thessalonian congregation to deeply understand that they were not alone —they were not the only ones facing opposition. Indeed, they were experiencing intimidation and harassment from their own countrymen, but Jewish believers were experiencing the same kind of treatment from their fellow Hebrews. Paul wanted the Thessalonian believers to know that they had not been abandoned; rather, they had locked arms and hearts with thousands of other brothers and sisters in a struggle for spiritual freedom (1 Thessalonians 2:15).

If you are facing spiritual opposition and marginalization, then first be aware that you’ve taken your place in a long and unbroken line of brothers and sisters who have endured the same. Opposition is how the gospel spread throughout the earth, and the Scriptures repeatedly tell us not to be surprised by it. But the Scriptures also tell us repeatedly that we are not alone.

Today in Jeremiah, the prophet received direct comfort and context from the Lord when he cried out, and we can receive these same words from God when we are opposed:

If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Centuries later, Paul prayed a prayer over the Thessalonians, who were facing similar obstacles:

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

Bookmark this page. Whenever you are feeling alone, overwhelmed, and opposed, return here and say aloud the words spoken by God, and the prayer of the apostle Paul. You are not alone. Do not mistake challenge for abandonment. God’s presence —and the presence of our fellow brothers and sisters —is not the recipe for making things easy. It is the promise that we can rise to the challenges and become stronger through them.

PRAYER:

Turn us again to yourself, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.