2 Thessalonians 3 Devotional

Quiet Work and a Faithful Lord

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”2 Thessalonians 3:3 (BSB)

Paul asks for prayer that the Lord's word would spread and that he would be delivered from wicked people (3:1-2). Then he turns to something steadier. The Lord is faithful to strengthen them and guard them from the evil one (3:3). Paul prays that the Lord would direct their hearts toward God's love and the endurance of Christ (3:5).

Then comes a practical problem. Some believers had stopped working and were busy meddling in others' affairs instead (3:11). Paul worked night and day so as not to be a burden, though he had a right to support, to set them an example (3:7-9). He commands the idle to settle down and earn their own living (3:12). The church should keep its distance from anyone who refuses this instruction, not treating him as an enemy but warning him as a brother (3:14-15). Ordinary work done faithfully is part of life under a faithful Lord, and those who keep at it need not grow tired of doing good (3:13).

To think about: Where has doing good started to wear you down, and how does the Lord's faithfulness give you strength to keep going?