The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 2 Thessalonians 1:4,
"Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."
Here is a fellowship that was praiseworthy. Indeed, Paul recognizes just that in verses 3 and 4 as he observes the Thessalonian's growing faith and increasing love. Yet, we see them suffering. Paul commends them for their perseverance and faith "in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." Paul acknowledges their suffering because of their participation in the kingdom of God.
I think the only suffering I have seen in my life has been due to my acting like a half-wit at times. That is an entirely different matter. What we are looking at in 2 Thessalonians is suffering for the sake of, for the cause of, the kingdom of God.
There are those who attempt to tell us that because God loves us, he doesn't want to see us suffer. When you love someone, you don't want to see them suffer, right? Among other things, I have heard this logic applied in an effort to present an argument for a "pre-tribulational" rapture of the saints. The assumption is that since we are the objects of God's love, he will keep us from suffering in this life, including a time of tribulation anticipated at the end of this age. Without getting in to that issue here, to apply the above logic as an argument reveals either a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of the things of God told us in the Scriptures.
Yes, God does love us. Yes, I am certain that in his love he holds us near and dear to his heart and cares about our circumstances. However, we read over and over that God does not keep us from hardship in this life. He accompanies us through the hardships, strengthening and aiding us, but we go through them nonetheless. As Paul contemplates this in Romans 8:35-36, he quotes Psalm 44:22, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
Paul points out that it is not in this life or in this age that God will right all the wrongs, when he will pay back those who may trouble us, who may cause us hardship, "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed." 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
God will judge those who cause us trouble. He will provide us relief. However, Paul is clear to point out this will take place at the end of the age, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, when he comes to be glorified in his holy people.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."
Here is a fellowship that was praiseworthy. Indeed, Paul recognizes just that in verses 3 and 4 as he observes the Thessalonian's growing faith and increasing love. Yet, we see them suffering. Paul commends them for their perseverance and faith "in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." Paul acknowledges their suffering because of their participation in the kingdom of God.
I think the only suffering I have seen in my life has been due to my acting like a half-wit at times. That is an entirely different matter. What we are looking at in 2 Thessalonians is suffering for the sake of, for the cause of, the kingdom of God.
There are those who attempt to tell us that because God loves us, he doesn't want to see us suffer. When you love someone, you don't want to see them suffer, right? Among other things, I have heard this logic applied in an effort to present an argument for a "pre-tribulational" rapture of the saints. The assumption is that since we are the objects of God's love, he will keep us from suffering in this life, including a time of tribulation anticipated at the end of this age. Without getting in to that issue here, to apply the above logic as an argument reveals either a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of the things of God told us in the Scriptures.
Yes, God does love us. Yes, I am certain that in his love he holds us near and dear to his heart and cares about our circumstances. However, we read over and over that God does not keep us from hardship in this life. He accompanies us through the hardships, strengthening and aiding us, but we go through them nonetheless. As Paul contemplates this in Romans 8:35-36, he quotes Psalm 44:22, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
Paul points out that it is not in this life or in this age that God will right all the wrongs, when he will pay back those who may trouble us, who may cause us hardship, "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed." 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
God will judge those who cause us trouble. He will provide us relief. However, Paul is clear to point out this will take place at the end of the age, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, when he comes to be glorified in his holy people.
As we face troubles at the hands of others, as we struggle with hardship and difficulties, we need to be encouraged to recognize that troubles and hardships are no indication we are not loved by God or that we may have been abandoned by him. We need to take strength in knowing he will provide us relief in his own time, even though we may be struggling in hardship at the present time. He will also bring to justice those who may mistreat us and seek to harm us for our faith in him.
He has promised to be our help in need, but he has not promised to take away our need.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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