Saturday 6 July, 2013

6 But Timothy has come to us from you just now. He has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us. He has also said that you long to see us, just as we long to see you. 7 Brothers and sisters, in all our trouble and suffering your faith cheered us up. 8 Now we really live, because you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you because of all the joy that comes only from our God? 10 Night and day we pray very hard that we will see you again. We want to give you what is missing in your faith.

Paul has received wonderful news from Timothy that the believers in Thessalonica are still going strong in their faith and growing in spite of his absence and the persecution they are facing.

I totally understand Paul’s words in verse 8 – “For now we live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord.” (NRSV)  You can almost hear Paul’s sigh of relief since he was so concerned for this young church.   There really is nothing like hearing that friends you love and have prayed for but haven’t seen for some time are still growing in their faith and walk, even though life has been tough and situations they are facing are hard, they are hanging onto Jesus.   It really does bring a joy, comfort and peace to your spirit, it’s such a unique feeling.

It is my prayer that my life and walk with Jesus will bring life and joy to my friends too and especially to the one who initially led me to the Lord.

Written by Suzie Hodgson