1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV)
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Verse 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
Verse 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. Verse 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. Verse 13And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Devotion
After a short stint doing ministry in Thessalonica, yet long enough to establish a Christian congregation, Paul is forced to leave. He worries about the congregation: Will they stray from the faith they have recently embraced? To check up on them, Paul sends Timothy to visit them. Timothy returns with good news: Not only is their faith intact, but they remember Paul with genuine fondness. Paul is excited and expresses his gratitude to them for keeping their faith in God even amid the social pressures and opposition they have and will continue to experience. He encourages them to keep this attitude, to stand firm in the faith, as they continue to wait for Jesus’ return. We today are encouraged to do the same as we, too, await Jesus’ return.
Prayer
O God, as we, too, wait for Jesus’ return, help us to keep our hearts always in you. Even amid the social pressures and opposition we face, give us the courage to stand firm in our faith. Continue to guide and direct our ways in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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