Paul thanked God for the faith and love he saw growing in the Thessalonians. In fact, he tells others about their endurance and faithfulness to the Lord.
Why?
Because this church suffered. They were a persecuted church and the persecution had intensified from the time Paul wrote his first letter to them.
Paul affirms and encourages these early believers. He prays for God to give them grace and peace for truly it is only by God’s grace and peace that any of us endure.
Hardship teaches us is that God is always at work even when we may not see His hand in a situation.
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“Future hope must encourage us to be faithful today.” (Warren Wiersbe)
The study encouraged us to personalize these verses and pray them for ourselves …
One of the questions the study asks is: “What is God’s call on your life, and what steps are you taking to obey it?” In other words, what do you need to be faithful in today?
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In reading 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12, we are reminded of the work of the lawless one which will be unleashed upon the world during the end times.
Many will be deceived by him and his activities because they have refused to love and accept God’s truth.
We must remember that God is not willing for any to perish (2 Peter 3:9) which is why the Holy Spirit works on every heart, pursuing each one.
As I read this portion this morning, my heart was stirred to pray for the softening of hearts. May those around us see Jesus in us and be moved to seek Him and His truth.
Future hope –
it encourages us to be faithful today!
Oh but I want to live a life that is worthy….and I need that prayer for endurance. As you prayed, so grateful for the grace that enables us to endure. To be steadfast and to live worthy! Thanks for the encouragement!
The wonderful thing is that our Lord delights to respond to our prayers and provides endurance. Blessings!
I loved this sentence: “Hardship teaches us is that God is always at work even when we may not see His hand in a situation.” So good and so true. It reminded me of the verse from John that includes the phrase “not as the world gives do I give to you”. Great post, Joanne!
Much appreciated, Laurie. It always amazes me when He draws back the curtain and lets us see how He was present all along.
Joanne, faith is something we’ve been discussing over on the Red Sea Rules post this week. “Faith does not mean shutting your eyes to reality. It doesn’t mean pretending that the problems aren’t there or that they are just going to magically disappear somehow. That’s not the kind of faith that God’s Word is talking about. Faith means that you and I face the problem.”
I love this quote by Warren Wiersbe “Future hope must encourage us to be faithful today.”
Thanks for these great reminders and for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Love the quote from the Red Sea Rules!
This was a wonderful reminder for me today, friend! Thank you for being faithful to the call!
Grateful you stopped here, Stacey!
Joanne, this line caught my eye this afternoon: “Hardship teaches us that God is always at work even when we may not see His hand in a situation.” That is SO comforting!
I love this! Future hope encourages us to be faithful today. That truth is one that keeps what is important in front of us.