October 10, 2024 -Laugh in the Face of the Enemy

JEREMIAH 14:11-16:15

1 THESSALONIANS 2:9-3:13

PSALM 80:1-19

PROVERBS 25:1-5

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

1Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

Have you ever felt like you wanted to do something for Christ or go somewhere that you thought you should go but were stopped. Paul was thinking about the spiritual condition of the church in Thessalonica because it can be difficult to stand strong in faith in the midst of persecution. He thought that he, Silas and Timothy needed to be there to help them stay on the right path. And maybe Satan thought that they would be helpful to them as well because he blocked their way.

1Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

The Thessalonian church was a place that Paul also longed to be because they received the Gospel as the word of God and he could see the Spirit at work in their lives as they became "imitators of God's churches in Judea". No wonder Paul wanted to go there to be with them. They were Spirit filled passionate followers of Christ. That is why I long to be in certain places and with certain people as well. It is a joy, encouragement and exciting place to be when you are with a group of such people. But he was also concerned for them because as the churches in Judea they experienced hostility from those who were trying to stop them from speaking to the Gentiles.

1Thessalonians 3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

In concern for them when he and Silas couldn't go so he sent Timothy on his own. He worried that he might find out that they faltered in their faith and that Satan would have succeeded.

1Thessalonians 3:7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

But instead we see that their faith is strong because God whom they have fully trusted in is strong. They did not need Paul to be with them to be strong in the face of persecution because they have the Spirit of God living in them and the Word of God on their lips. And the encouragement that was intended to be sent through Timothy was returned to them.

I imagine that when Satan blocked Paul's path he was worried about what evil the enemy had been planning for the church. But here we see again that God uses all things for good. When a church of great faith faces persecution and remains strong then God gets the glory and it encourages and sets and example for others. The enemy intended the persecution and separation from Paul to break them but God used it for His good!

Whatever trial you are going through be of great faith and trust that God will use it for His good. In truth we should be able to laugh in the face of the enemy and shout Glory to God.