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1 Thessalonians 2:1-3
In Acts 16 is the account of Paul and Silas in Philippi and the harm they faced during their stay there. This news has obviously preceded them to Thessalonica as we learn in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (NKJV), “1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.”
This is an example of the suffering that Paul and Silas received for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ while yet remaining strengthened by God’s Holy Spirit.
When God called Ananias to help Paul in Damascus (Acts 9:1-19), Ananias questioned God as Paul had been a persecutor of Christians and Ananias needed reassurance of this calling. God replied to Ananias in Acts 9:15-16, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
We are beginning to learn a little about the ministry of the Apostle Paul and the sufferings he received. As he arrived in Thessalonica, he connected with the people there as a true follower of Jesus; he gave them encouragement right from the beginning of his leading them in the “Way” as they called it then. Through suffering for Christ Jesus is a promise of reward as we learn in 1 Peter 5:10-11, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Dear LORD,
There is not one of us who enjoys suffering, but it is a part of life on earth; we all suffer. Suffering for Christ Jesus is a different suffering as there is reward for continuing to be faithful through suffering when others persecute us for Jesus’ sake. Please help us to see that as Jesus was persecuted for us, we too will be persecuted for Him. Fill us with the joy of Your Holy Spirit as we stand up for You – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.