Thursday, February 27, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2-3
Key Verse
1 Thessalonians 2:17 — “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.”
Devotional Thought
Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica with the tenderness of a father and the honesty of a man who has nothing to hide. He reminds them how he and Silas and Timothy came to them — not with flattering words or a cloak of covetousness, but with gentleness, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” They had just been shamefully treated at Philippi, beaten and imprisoned, yet they came to Thessalonica bold in God, willing to impart not only the gospel but their own souls. Paul labored night and day, refusing to be a burden, behaving himself holily and justly and unblameably among them. This is the heart of a true minister: not seeking glory from men, but seeking the good of souls.
And how did the Thessalonians respond? They received the word “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” That word did not return void. It worked in them, and it made them willing to suffer for it, just as the churches in Judaea had suffered. Paul’s joy over them is palpable — “what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” His affection is not sentimental; it is bound up with eternity. He longs to see them face to face, and when he cannot come himself, he sends Timothy to establish and comfort them concerning their faith.
There is something here for us in the gray days of late February. Winter has worn long, and the first hints of spring still feel far off. We may be tempted to think our labors for others are unnoticed, our faithfulness unremarkable. But Paul reminds us that the tempter is real — “lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” He does not pretend that affliction is a sign of God’s absence. Rather, he says plainly, “we are appointed thereunto.” Suffering is not an interruption of the Christian life; it is part of it. And yet, in the midst of it, Paul is comforted by the faith of others: “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”
That is a word for us today. Our steadfastness in Christ is not merely our own private business. It is life and comfort to those who love us and labor for us. When we stand fast, others are strengthened. When we waver, others grieve. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is a prayer we can pray for one another: that the Lord would make us increase and abound in love, and stablish our hearts unblameable in holiness before God at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. That is the goal of all our labor — not earthly reward, but hearts made ready for the appearing of our Savior.
Reflection
- Paul refused to use flattering words or a cloak of covetousness, and he labored night and day so as not to be a burden. In what areas of your own service to others are you tempted to seek glory from men rather than to please God, who trieth the heart?
- Paul says that his comfort and even his life were bound up in the Thessalonians’ faith — “for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” How might your own steadfastness in Christ this week be a source of life and comfort to someone who is watching you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the example of Paul, Silas, and Timothy, who served not for the praise of men but for Thy glory, and who were willing to impart not only the gospel but their own souls. Teach us to receive Thy word as it truly is — not the word of men, but the living word of God which worketh effectually in them that believe. Strengthen us to stand fast in the Lord amid affliction, knowing that we are appointed thereunto. Make us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and stablish our hearts unblameable in holiness before Thee, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Amen.