1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 — The 5th Day of Thessmas!

READ THIS: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 

3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

If you can't tell by now, Paul really wanted to see the Thessalonians again, but he wasn't able to! According to him, the enemy (Satan) was doing everything he possibly could to stop Paul from seeing them. We don't necessarily know what that means. Paul could have been persecuted and prevented from leaving the place he was currently in, or perhaps there was so much trouble going on in other areas around him that he couldn't make the time to reach Thessalonica. We really don't know! That being said... it didn't stop Paul.
 
Despite knowing that Satan was fighting against him in his quest to be with and care for the Thessalonians, Paul didn't give up! Instead, he sent Timothy as a messenger to take on this job for him! Timothy traveled to the Thessalonians, caring for them, teaching them, and warning them that spiritual and physical persecution was just as possible for them as it was for Paul.
 
Paul could have been prideful and thought that the only way to reach the Thessalonians correctly was to do it himself, but instead, he trusted Timothy and delegated the job out to him. He could have seen the trials that the enemy threw his way and grown fearful of reaching out to care for the Thessalonians, but he had the courage to stand against spiritual warfare and trust in Jesus. 

When we are faced with resistance or trouble in our walk with Jesus, it can be really tempting to just give up. Let this story be a reminder to you today that when we choose to persevere and trust in Jesus, God will make incredible things happen, even if it isn't what we expect to happen!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Have you ever dealt with spiritual warfare before? How could you tell you were fighting against the enemy and not God?

2. What is something in your life that you could delegate to someone else, even if they may not do it as well as you think you could do it?

TRY THIS:
 
Check out this awesome verse about perseverance and spiritual warfare... James 1:2-4!

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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