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“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” (1 Thess. 3:8, NKJV)
Our last devotional left us on the edge of our seat. Paul had sent Timothy to Thessalonica to check on their spiritual condition. We read in verse 5: “When I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”
Finally, Timothy had returned. We can almost feel the eagerness of the apostle to get his report. It was a good one. “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love… (1 Thess. 3:6a).
God was at work. The seed of the gospel was bearing fruit of faith and love. Paul must have been relieved and thrilled, likely his heart overflowing in praise to God, as he had earlier expressed (3:9-10).
But there was more. Timothy reported not only the fruitfulness of their faith, he also brought news of their affection for Paul. “… and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you” (v. 6b).
Earlier, Paul explained that he had been forced to leave them and had wanted to return but was hindered by Satan. Would the Thessalonians misunderstand his absence? It would have been a great comfort to hear that they greatly desired to see him. The term used suggests deep desire and affection, and would have fueled his longing to reunite with them.
Paul lays bare his heart at the news Timothy brought. “Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith” (1 Thess. 3:7).
The report Paul received was not just from Timothy. It was from God. It testified to His workmanship and His blessing on the ministry of Paul among them. It served as a crocus of beauty amidst the harsh winter of suffering he was experiencing, a reminder of the glory of unseen things and kingdom realities.
God does that in our lives. When go through hardship and find ourselves weary and heavy laden, God will bring some reminder to us of His presence and grace. It’s easy for the dark clouds of suffering to obscure our view of God who lives and reigns on high. But sometimes He parts the clouds to remind us of His presence with us and power that is at work in us and through us.
We can see the extent of Paul’s longing in his conclusion. “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord” (1 Thess. 3:8). It was as though Paul’s life was draining from him at the prospect of their turning from Christ and turning from him.
The apostle urges them along similar lines in his second letter. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thess. 2:15–17).
Paul’s eye is more than to the perseverance of the Thessalonians. He sees that and rejoices. But he looks beyond that to the preservation of God. He sees that and renders thanks. We persevere because God preserves.
What is a time when God gave you a glimmer of glory in the storm of suffering?
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
