For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
Paul was grateful for good news in ministry. He had his share of difficult circumstances: struggling new churches he was forced to leave too early, persecution from pagan enemies, threats of death from Jewish religious authorities, and the hazards of first century travel in the Roman Empire. Yet to hear that the church in Thessalonica was thriving was exactly the kind of encouragement that kept ministry zeal flowing.
Paul was eager to return to them. Timothy had been dispatched to check in on a church that Paul had been forced to leave too quickly. And Timothy’s news that the Thessalonians exhibited strong faith in the gospel evidenced in a loving community AND that they longed to see Paul again, made all the difficulties and distress melt away. Paul was filled with a love to minister among them again. Knowing that the church stood fast in the Lord revived Paul’s weary soul (1 Thessalonians 3:8).
Now Paul was ready to return. He was ready to make this report a face-to-face experience in joyful reunion. He was ready to enjoy ministry among them. He was ready to instruct, teach, model the gospel, and make disciples… to finish the apostolic work that had been prematurely interrupted. Paul was filled with ministry joy and expectation.
Lord,
You know how Your kingdom grows. And sometimes ministry has seasons of hardship and struggle. Yet the joy that we can know when Jesus lives in us, the fruit of the Spirit grows in us, and a community of disciples worship their Savior is worth all of the hard work. Keep that vision fresh in me too Lord!
Amen
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