I THESSALONIANS: Prayers Can Go Where We Can't; "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much!"

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. (I Thessalonians 2:13)

 

Paul's letter to the Thessalonica church continues with more encouragement, and he makes a very important point.  When we share the Word of God with others, we have to make sure that they leave their encounter with us believing that they heard the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.  The Word of God is what convicts and changes people, not our words. I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. (Psalm 119:25 NIV)

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. (I Thessalonians 2:14-16)

 

The devil knows that he is fighting a losing battle, but he is trying to stop as many people as he can from accepting salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, and he will use anyone, even our own countrymen.  The Jews thought they could stop the spreading of the Word of God by killing both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets.  But the Word spread from Jerusalem and Judea to the Gentiles anyway.  Jesus said, and it will come to pass, that ...this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)  And when that end comes, all who have tried to oppress and suppress the Truth, they have filled up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

 

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. (I Thessalonians 2:17-20)  In other words, Paul was saying that when Christ Jesus returns, the believers in Thessalonica were going to make him and the other apostles "look good", being their crown of rejoicing, glory and joy.

 

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and 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, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.  For 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. (I Thessalonia 3:1-5)

 

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? (I Thessalonians 3:6-10)

 

What a humbling picture - the apostles encouraged the church, but they were also encouraged by the church, that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you.  Just because God has anointed certain ones to be leaders in the church doesn't mean it's easy for them afterwards.  Paul and those with him were experiencing great affliction and distress, and suffering tribulation.  They wanted to go check on this young church, because they knew Satan, the devil, the tempter would try to tempt them to turn from their newly established faith.

 

Fortunately, Paul was able to send Timothy to them, and when he returned, reported to them good news of their faith and love.  The main point we need to take away from this is that when we can't physically be with someone and share the Word of God with them, we can always pray for them and that our situation would change, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see their face and perfect what is lacking in their faith; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (Romans 1:12)

 

There's something about being able to be with other Christians that helps all of us stay encouraged and motived to continue on this path, even during times of tribulation, affliction and distress. But until we are able to be with one another, whether during a weekly Bible study or prayer service, or a weekend worship service, we should always continue to pray for one another, just as Paul did.  Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (I Thessalonians 3:11-13) AMEN!