Paul the
apostle and the men with him were thankful for the “joy”
they had for the Thessalonians' “sake before” God. Because
the Thessalonian church members were deeply committed to the Lord
Jesus and were desirous to see Paul and his companions, Paul rejoiced
over them. In chapter three and verse ten of his letter, Paul told
the Thessalonians he prayed “exceedingly” “night and day”
that he and his friends might “see” their faces to
“perfect that which is lacking in” their “faith”
where we read:
Night and
day praying exceedingly that we might see your face,
and might
perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
The
verse begins, “Night and day praying exceedingly that we
might see your face,...” Paul
continued his thought from the last verse by adding, “Night
and day” which refers to “at
nighttime or when the work ceases to the daytime or the the
natural day and interval between sunrise and sunset”
“praying” which
means “desiring, longing for, asking and begging for”
“exceedingly” or
“over and above, more than is necessary, extraordinarily,
surpassingly and more remarkably” “that we might see
your face” which means
“perceive with the eyes your countenance and look”. Paul and his
men constantly desired to see the Thessalonians face to face.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and
might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” Paul
went on to add, “and might perfect”
which is the Greek word “katartizō”
from
which we get our English word “cauterize” and means
“to render fit, sound, complete; to mend, repair or adjust” “that
which is lacking” which
means “any deficiency” “in your
faith”
which refers to “the Thessalonians' conviction of the truth
especially the conviction that God exists and is the creator and
ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation
through Christ”. Paul desired to discover whether there were areas
within the Thessalonian church member's faith and trust in God that
may have been lacking.
When
we meditate upon Paul's words, we see the depth of his dedication and
desire for the Thessalonians. Constantly he and his companions prayed
for the church members and desired to see them fully mature in their
walk with the Lord Jesus. Once again we are challenged to think of
anyone in our lives for whom we pray this much and have this desire.
As we see Paul' perspective and care for the Thessalonians, let us
ask the Lord to put within us this God given passion not only to
visit with people personally, but also to mature them in their walk
with the Lord Jesus.
Next
time Paul asks God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ “direct
his way”, 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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