Paul desired to
revisit the church in Thessalonica, however he and his companions
thought it best that he stay in Athens alone. Although he could not
go to them, he sent “Timothy” his “beloved son in the
faith” to “establish” or “confirm” them
and “comfort” them “concerning” their “faith”.
In chapter three and verse three of his letter, Paul continued to
share why he was sending Timothy to them as he desired they not be
“moved by” “afflictions” which were “appointed”
unto them. We read:
That no
man should be moved by these afflictions:
for
yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
The
verse begins, “That no man should be moved by these
afflictions:” Paul began with the phrase, “That no man”
which refers to “nobody, no one and nothing” “should be
moved” which literally means “to wag the dog” and
metaphorically means “to flatter, fawn upon, agree, agitate,
disturb or be troubled by” “by these afflictions” which
means “pressures, oppression, tribulations, distresses or straits”.
No doubt the Thessalonians heard of the troubles and pressures Paul
and his entourage faced as they shared the gospel, and it is quite
possible the Thessalonians suffered persecution themselves. Paul
desired for them not to be pressured to abandon the faith because of
them.
The
verse goes on to say, “for yourselves know that we are appointed
thereunto.” Paul went on to add, “for yourselves”
which refers to the Thessalonians “know that we” which
means “Paul, his companions and the Thessalonian church members “
“are appointed thereunto” which literally means “to be
laid, set, put or made to be” and metaphorically means “to be set
by God's intent, destiny and make up towards, unto and among”. In
other words, God knew these “afflictions” were going to be
laid upon those who are believers in Jesus Christ, and Paul, his
companions and the Thessalonians were not exempt from their trouble.
While we meditate upon
these words of Paul, we may at first wonder why God would
allow“appointed”
“afflictions” to
come upon His believers. We must remember these “pressures,
oppressions, tribulations and distresses” come from this world and
those who are unbelievers within it. Jesus said in the gospel of John
in chapter sixteen and verse thirty three, “These things
I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world
you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world”. We may have confidence in the fact that although we
will face “afflictions”, Jesus has overcome them. Let us
learn to trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus Christ when the
greatest “afflictions”
come, and may we realize they are never to “move us”
from our faith and trust in Him.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians how they were going to “suffer
tribulation” , so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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