Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians
In Acts 16 we read more about Paul’s first missionary journey. When they went to Philippi, a leading city in Asia Minor at that time, they met a woman called Lydia. We know that she came to faith and that she was their contact to get into the city. It seems that a lot of things went completely wrong especially when they changed the life a slave girl who used to help her owners make loads of money by fortune telling. When the apostle Paul took her gift away, her owners were rightfully angry and upset because they lost their income. Paul and Silas were attacked and brought before the rulers of the city and imprisoned (read more in Acts 16:9-24). Eventually a miracle happened when a massive earthquake struck, and all the doors opened, and all their chains fell off. During the night Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica, I imagine for their own safety.
Paul met with great opposition in Thessalonica but insists in his letter to the Thessalonians that his mission was not a “failure” despite all the conflict and hardship they endured. In his letters to the Thessalonians he encouraged the church to live as he had taught them to live.
Paul was often a prisoner and had often been the subject of torture and hardship, but he did not allow his circumstances to hinder him from proclaiming the good news. How could he possibly manage to stay focused and hopeful?
I think he decided to put on the “right glasses” to see the bigger picture, the picture that God has. I am sure he decided to put on the glasses of faith, where he could clearly see the impact of Jesus’ redemption of the world. When he looked through them, he could rejoice because he knew he was not alone. He could see the presence of the Lord all around him. He could clearly see that this life was not his end. It could not have been easy for Paul, but he did it because he was sure of Jesus’ resurrection. He was sure about the saving grace and love of Jesus for all humankind. How do we cope when life gets tough and difficult? We have two choices; we can be miserable because of our circumstances or joyful despite them! Amen
Friday, 29th May 2020
1 Thessalonians 2: 13
“Also, we always thank God because of the way you accepted his message. You heard his message from us, and you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of men. And it really is God’s message. And that message works in you who believe.”
Prayer
Loving God, we bring to you in our prayers all those who make up our family circle.
We love them but we know your love for them is much greater.
Thank you for all who love us and for your special loving care.
Help us to love our friends and neighbours with your kind of gentle love.
Help us when we are annoyed or tired to control our behaviour so that we do not hurt other people by what we say or do.
Amen
Pentecost 2020 ● Volume 9, Issue 5 ● Balerno Parish Church