“Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith. May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.”
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 NLT
Paul cared for the church like a mother for her child. He was concerned for the
church. He was not worried that they would suffer, in fact he told them hardships
were guaranteed, and he had prepared them to endure. He was concerned that
Satan had found a weakness in their faith and caused them to stumble. Thankfully,
he had nothing to worry about. Timothy arrived and gave the report – the
Thessalonians had stayed strong.
These motherly concerns of Paul can help you see how God is parenting you. The
Father’s goal is to grow you closer to Christ – as you receive His unending love for
you and respond by loving Him more and more. God will not give you everything
you ask for or spare you from every storm. But you will be given all you need to
follow Jesus, grow stronger, and make a difference in the world with Him. The goal
for every Christian is to be His – finding holiness and happiness in Christ alone.
Paul prayed that their hearts will be strong and that their love for others would
overflow. Will you pray these things for yourself and others? How is the Lord trying
to mature you right now?
