STRENGTHEN AND ENCOURAGE
1 Thessalonians 3
“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 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, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.”
We are taught by Paul in the New Testament so much about God and our relationship with him, and about the Church and the Christian community that we often forget he is human like us and susceptible to fears and discouragement as well.
Paul and his team were going through difficult times and yet his heart and concerns were on the Thessalonians. He worried for them, fearing that Satan was targeting them as well and it came to a point when he could stand it no longer and dispatched Timothy to visit them.
Timothy brought back good news of the Thessalonians’ abiding faith in God and love for Paul who brought them the Gospel. Just as Paul demonstrated the Gospel to them with his sincere love, so too the faith of the Thessalonians was evidenced by their love for Paul and his team.
Love flowed back and forth, strengthening and encouraging both parties.
We do well to understand and take to heart our Lord’s command for us to love one another. It is to flow back and forth so that not only are we strengthened and encouraged by the love of those who lead and nurture us but they too are strengthened and encouraged by our gratitude and care. Love is the food upon which our spirit feast, strengthening our faith and leading us to turn to God in gratitude and joy.
“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”