Tuesday, November 14, 2023
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 3:6-13
A friend who, with her husband, is
facing a mountain of medical problems recently shared how, even though she and
her husband have faith that is strong, there are valleys of fear the enemy
throws in their way. I know how she
feels, and so do you. We can say that
without shame or embarrassment, because one of the pillars of the New Testament
fathers, apostle Paul, shared the same, being greatly encouraged in the
midst of our troubles and suffering.
That encouragement came as Timothy brought news of the Thessalonian
believer’s faith “standing firm” which renewed his hopes for their strong
witness. Paul said that good news was
like new life. Paul’s faith
is unquestioned, yet the “wear and tear” of years on the road battling human
and spiritual opposition do take their toll.
The apostle’s reaction, having his hope
renewed, led to an outburst of joy that he might soon see those dear friends
and be able to contribute (filling in the gaps of their faith).
In this we stand certain…strong faith
in Christ is what renews hope in hard times.
And with hope renewed for the downtrodden, oppressed, and marginalized,
the result is greater vision for a future of God’s blessing. This is what the church stands for, not
building bigger sanctuaries, larger attendances, better programs, and slicker
organizations; the church stands for the hope of Christ in each of us[1],
a testament to the marvelous grace extended to all who, though unworthy, are
willing to bend a knee at the cross. It
is the message of forgiveness and love, born in Heaven, fleshed-out on
Calvary’s hill, and celebrated with every breath in those who have received
Christ.
For You Today
If you’re facing trouble of any sort,
and any size, don’t manage it by yourself.
Just as my friend shared with her community, keep engaged with those of
strong faith; it is there you will be in a perfect place to find your hope
renewed. And with that hope renewed and
shared to others, you just might start an explosion of faith!
There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons
in the Rocky Road library.
Today’s title Image from Pixabay.com
Images without citation are in public domain or cited
via weblinks.
Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT©
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