2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 (NRSV)
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Verse 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 3We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. Verse 4Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.
Verse 11To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, Verse 12so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotion
Today we celebrate the Reformation. Around the world, many people will sing the song, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in their native tongue. The song has comforted many a Christian as they faced suffering.
Today’s text was written to comfort a suffering community. The Thessalonians were being persecuted because they were faithful to the Lord. Into this situation Paul sends a letter of encouragement. He writes in verse 11, “We always pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling.” As Christians, we share in that “calling” to become like Christ.
In the past two years we have experienced hardship and persecution in our ministry in India. These words of Paul encourage us: “We always pray for you.” We thank God for our partners who pray for us each day and bring us to the throne of grace. We thank God for sending comforters and encouragers to his people through all the ages.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help us to live a life worthy of your calling so that you will be lifted up through our lives and let all see Jesus who is the Lord and God. Amen.