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“Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul,
time and again—but Satan hindered us.” (1 Thess. 2:18, NKJV)
1 Thessalonians is a letter of longing. Believers long to be with Jesus. They long for hope to be sight. They exhibit the longing of grief. Paul goes on in his communication with the church to express a longing to be with them.
Paul explains that he and his fellow workers were taken away from them. “But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire” (1 Thess. 2:17).
The term the apostle uses for “taken away” is literally “orphaned.” He experiences a family separation by not being able to remain with them. He insists that his physical absence will only be for a short time and he assures them that he is with them in spirit.
When we experience absence from dear friends we look forward to meeting up with them again. But absence from family is a different animal, particularly if the bond is close, and it is for Paul. He longed to see their face, not hear about them or read about them, but to physically look upon them. For us, there is a qualitative difference between seeing our family over Zoom and being in their presence.
Paul makes it clear that his absence from them is not his choice. He had to get out of town. He also makes clear that he has tried his best to return to them. He highlights a reason he has been thwarted. “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us” (1 Thess. 2:18).
We might be taken aback at this statement. How can Satan hinder Paul? How can the devil possibly interfere with God’s plan?
The Bible tells that Satan and his demons oppose the purposes of God and oppress the people of God. But he does so as an instrument of God’s plan, serving His purposes. For example, Satan entered Judas for the betrayal of Jesus. God’s providence ruled without making Him the author of sin. The sin belonged to Judas.
Another example is found in the Old Testament account of David’s census. David sinned by having the number of people under his rule counted, an expression of pride and arrogance. We are told that Satan incited David to number Israel (1 Chron. 21:1). No surprise there, the devil provoking God’s servant to sin. But there is a surprise in the parallel account. “Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah’” (2 Sam. 24:1).
Satan acted but only in the providence of God that governs all events and all creatures in service to His will. As Martin Luther put it, “The devil is God’s devil.”
We don’t know how Paul knew it was Satan opposing him or what Satan did to hinder Paul, but we do know that the devil is also our enemy, seeking to incapacitate us and to undermine our work for the kingdom of God. Against him, we are to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
Paul’s delight and joy in the believers at Thessalonica are remarkable. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19–20).
Now that is a pastoral heart!
How do we deal with our spiritual enemy’s effort to hinder our efforts for Christ?
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.
