CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY ON YOUTUBE
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
As the Apostle Paul declared his passion for the care of the newly converted Christians at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20), he sent his faithful companion, Timothy, to them as a minister to their faith. He states in 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NKJV), “2and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” Paul wants the Christians at Thessalonica to understand that the devil strikes everyone with persecutions, and especially the new Christians. Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5, “4For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”
This is an example of the caring heart that Christians should have for the salvation of one another.
Paul has expressed his caring heart for the new Christians at Thessalonica, and he is concerned for their well-being as he knows the devil will strike them with trials and tribulations in an attempt to make them fall in their newly found life in Christ Jesus. The devil continues to strike us all every day in his attempt to make us fall from our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior. It is our faith that keeps us strong, and the hope of eternal life that leads us in paths of righteousness. King David wrote Psalm 23 giving praise to God for the strength and guidance he received from the LORD during trials and tribulations as he declares,
1 “The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green
pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of
righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they
comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the
LORD
Forever.
We too find our strength in the LORD, and He guides us and protects us just as He did for David, even before he became king. The LORD watches over us throughout all our lives, even on the road to get to where He wants us in His great plan for our lives. The low points in our lives are there to help us see the importance of calling on the LORD to save us so that we can see just how great His working in our lives is. There is none too far gone that Jesus cannot save; and there is none lowly that Jesus cannot lift up. He is our rock and our fortress in times of trouble. Put your faith and trust in the LORD today and call on the saving power of Jesus. He will not turn away a sincere cry for help. The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 3:5-6,
5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own
Understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Dear LORD,
Please establish us and encourage us in our faith so that the devil cannot shake us through afflictions. Give us confidence in being appointed by You that Your work in us would not go in vain. In Jesus name I pray, amen.