“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. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 3:5-8 NIV
We don’t have to wait for news very often nowadays. Social media makes news available immediately. Text messages make conversations possible anytime, anywhere. A simple Google search reveals what used to require a trip to the library to learn. Every once in a while, there is rare news we receive in the mail (Anyone impatiently awaiting that college acceptance letter?).
Paul didn’t have any of these technological advancements when he was waiting for Timothy’s news of the Thessalonians. During this time, the Thessalonians were being punished for their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul was afraid this suffering and persecution had caused them to turn away from the Gospel. He had already expressed his fatherly heart toward these people, so the agony of waiting to hear if they have stayed true to Jesus must have been dreadful.
Happily, Timothy comes back with the news that the Thessalonians are standing firm in the Lord. Paul is so full of joy that he exclaims, “Now we really live!” (1 Thess. 3:8). Paul feels like his heart has gone from death to life because of their faithfulness.
There are always things that will tempt us to turn away from our faith. It may be the suffering of rejection, a difficult decision, or someone’s treatment towards you. But holding fast to Jesus in the midst of suffering is not forgotten. It is not unseen. Jesus rejoices over the perseverance of his children, especially in the face of suffering. What a delight for God to be able to say, “Even when it’s hard, my children trust that the Gospel is worth it. They trust me to take care of them instead of taking their situation into their own hands.” Let us stand firm in suffering to bring life and joy to the heart of our Father!
How can you begin to stand firm in faith when you face suffering and persecution?