Where Will We Find Our Ultimate Safety?
Good Morning Friends,
There is always a bit of anxiety in our egos until we realize that God’s affection for us is designed to create in us a joy that stands the test of time and becomes an ongoing and consistent prayer that validates the reality that everything is of God. We are to realize that God designed us to fulfil the law of love, not just in overpowering emergencies and crises, but in our daily lives as an assembly of believers with a holy purpose. Friends, the only way to properly prepare for the coming of God into our lives is to experience a purposeful life daily with God and for God. This is a long journey in the same direction. Thankfully, in today’s text from the third chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul as the good pastor, points the way to a reality that helps us to answer today’s question in the face of final judgment. Here we get a hint of the confusion addressed in the second letter to the Thessalonians regarding the second coming, even as we now ask. Where Will We Find Our Ultimate Safety?
Scripture: For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Yes, you are our glory and joy!
1 Thessalonian 2:18-20 (NRSV)
Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens; and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for. In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain. But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us—just as we long to see you. For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 (NRSV)
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (NRSV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 (NRSV)
Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NRSV)
Message: As we read the third chapter of 1 Thessalonians the setting has some tension in the Spirit between Jews and Gentiles and clashing cultures. Paul, despite his desire to address the situation first hand has been stymied in returning to Thessalonica. He claims the Devil was at work to block his return. The battle and challenge apparently were more spiritual than physical. Indeed, one might say the Devil has been defeated but not yet destroyed and this was true for the called-out assembly of God in Thessalonica as well in what we call churches today. Anyway, Silas and Timothy had joined Paul in Athens and it is here that Paul decides to send Timothy back to the Thessalonians as more a helper than a leader. It is here with affection in the face of their anxiety and a very present help of joy and continuous prayer in the Spirt that the issue of suffering is raised. And so, the text focuses on the reality of and inevitability of suffering in the Christian faith and a solution for dealing with it that prepares us for the day when Christ does return. And make no mistake, this current suffering was fierce for the Jew who had to face the reality of the Cross that possessed such a stumbling block for many who did not embrace the thinking of Paul. To the Greeks Christ was foolishness, but they were blind to a deeper reality. To many Jews Christ was a reality that their egos would fight against. Therefore, Paul tells us, that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but with a spiritual darkness. Our passage from Ephesians, like no other book tells us that it is not people who are the problem, but rather the spiritual forces of evil that prevail in the world. And indeed, if one looks at history this time had a persistent and malevolent evil that many people struggled with. But perhaps not so much has changed. Thankfully the Bible gives us some insight as to the lies and violence we are up against. Paul suggests in his writings there are three things we need to know about this dark spiritual opposition. First, and perhaps most important, it is permitted by God. The book of Job says that Satan had to come before God and get permission from him to afflict Job’s body. This man lost everything — his family, home and wealth; and he suffered terribly from boils which covered his whole body. But God had allowed it. The end of the book reveals what was accomplished by that suffering, but it was all hidden for the moment from Job’s eyes. So, too, it is hidden from our eyes. But the Bible reveals there is a power of evil at work that puts obstacles in the path of the gospel. And God permits this, so the events might be used ultimately for a noble purpose. Opposition here is God’s method of training. God’s patience a strategy for our salvation. Here affliction, suffering, pain and heartache are God’s way of getting our attention. Many of you have gone through that. Unfortunately, we often pay little attention to God until our suffering becomes acute. Then we listen and begin to hear. You see, God uses opposition to train us, and not only that, to give us an opportunity to overcome trouble, to rise above it. Here we mature in the faith and grow whole with a value to the Kingdom that is to bring us joy and gifts for deployment. Here our ultimate safety is found in a relationship with God and Gospel in a victorious community of love that fights the good fight.
Pray we not grieve the Spirit. Pray
we learn how the called-out assembly of God can spread the Gospel in the face of opposition. Pray we, beyond evangelism, learn to serve both the Gospel and the body of believers.
Pray God lavish love on us so that it fills our lives and overflows to everyone around us. Pray our hearts be strong believing that God can and will use our suffering for good. Pray we stand fast in the face of oppression. Pray our love be large in a world where people’s faith is small. Pray we turn to God for guidance daily getting in the habit of experiencing God’s presence. Pray our security in the love of God is sincere and sure. Pray we find our ultimate safety in the knowledge of God affirmed in our actions. Pray we be recipients of a confidence that opens doors. Pray we be a people with a grateful heart that overflows in submission to the love we have received. Pray we turn to the way, truth, life and authority of the Good Shepherd. Pray we redirect our anger to constructive ends. Pray we relate to others with consistency, helpfulness and a value system that brings mutual satisfaction in our love of God. Pray we are more satisfied with giving than receiving. Pray we are free from the unhealthy tension of anxiety. Pray we adapt to change quickly. Pray we do not fool ourselves. Pray we learn to trust God. Pray we are infused with strength and purity and filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when Jesus returns. Pray we live today in peace and joy!
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 