Journey Through The Bible
   Old Testament Reading: Amos 4-6
   New Testament Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1

We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches – about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

The two letters Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica were written within a few months of each other, perhaps even within a few weeks. Paul wrote this second letter to address three essential matters. First, to encourage them to stand firm and remain faithful to the Lord despite their persecution and suffering. Second, to correct a misunderstanding that resulted from his teaching about the Lord’s return. And third, to correct a growing problem of idleness.

Churches pride themselves on many things; their large membership or attendance, the size of their buildings, the design of their architecture, their wealth, their music, the social status of their members, the prominence of their pastor, their political clout, their influence in the community, or their innovative programs. Judging by these superficial standards, the Thessalonian church certainly had nothing to commend it. They had no buildings or programs. It was not a large or wealthy church. The congregation lacked social or political influence, nor did they have a famous preacher. Yet they were the church to which the apostle Paul could write, We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, … Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches (v3a & 4a).

The cause for this outpouring of thanksgiving is two-fold. Paul said your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing (v3b). Paul addressed both topics in his first letter. Their faith and love are so notable that they are occasions for Paul to boast to the churches of God about them. The object of that boasting is steadfast endurance and faith in the face of persecution. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches – about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring (v4).

Chuck Swindoll said of this passage, “Paul looked beyond the obvious difficulties around the Thessalonians to see the character that was being developed within them. God’s path to glory is a long uphill road, paved with rough, sharp stones of persecution and affliction. It is over this road that our lives must pass. Through pain and suffering, the rough edges of our souls are smoothed and polished to produce a work of art with eternal glory.”

Struggles, pain, and suffering drive a believer to a greater dependence on God and increase their ability to trust Him. As the Psalmist confidently declared, Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. … It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes. … I know, Lord, that your judgments are just and that you have afflicted me fairly. May your faithful love comfort me as you promised your servant. May your compassion come to me so that I may live (Psalms 199: 67, 71, 75-77).