Faithful Protector
There are no guarantees for an easy and trouble free life. Our world is broken and in a broken world broken things happen.
The church in Thessalonica knew this well. When Paul first brought the Gospel to their city, some trouble makers stirred up a riot that was so bad that Paul and Silas had to flee to the next town and the trouble-makers followed after them (Acts 17). They also knew that Paul had been stoned at Iconium (Acts 14).
Miraculously Paul survived being stoned (he was left for dead and the elders gathered around him and prayed and he was revived) and the Thessalonian church grew into a healthy congregation in spite of the tough start.
For Paul the message was all important. His desire and priority was the proclamation of the message of God's Good News. He understood that this message would not always be well-received for "not everyone has faith."
We are not always spared hardship, but God is at work to strengthen and protect us in the midst of hardship and sometimes it's the hardships that pressurise and squeeze us that produce the most beautiful diamonds.
| Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2Thessalonians3:1-3) |
