1 Thessalonians 2:1,2, “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.”
Paul is a model of incredible grit, determination, and one who would not give in to discouragement, despite roadblocks, setbacks and was not a quitter. Besides earning wages as a tentmaker, he kept preaching the gospel as his God-given purpose in life. In 1 Thessalonians 2:1, Paul refers to the time right before he and Silas came to them, which is from Acts 16:23-24, “And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks” Yet, despite unjust treatment and shame, Paul called out the jealous accusers and their judges, without hesitation in being physically harmed. You know the phrase, just when you think it can’t get any worse, and it does? This is what happened to Paul and Silas, because then in Acts 17:5, the Jews were jealous of Paul and Silas and started a riot against them. Yet, their spirits were not derailed or dampened from their character being attacked by propaganda spreading against them, of disturbing the peace and promoting treason. This accusation was similar to the ones used at Jesus’ trial. Paul recognized that all of this was a tactic of Satan to hinder their ministry, yet many souls were won to Christ from hearing the truth from God’s Word, from Paul and Silas’s ministry.
Paul and Silas had a police record yet were innocent of being untrustworthy and only had pure motives in their ministry for Christ and the gospel. They were not discouraged or afraid to keep preaching the gospel message because they answered to God rather than man. So they kept on keeping on for Christ. Paul’s motives were purely focused, as he said in verse two, “in our God.” This is what gave Paul and Silas boldness and had God-confidence, rather than mere self-confidence. They relied solely on God, Jehovah Shammah, who they knew was right there with them. God not only sees all we do, due to His presence, but knows our thoughts, hears our groanings, and searches our hearts. The apostles were sincere in their motives, avoided flattery, avoided self-ambition, and had no security against not meeting the same opposition again.
Have you been discouraged? Have you been mistreated? Are you in the midst of much conflict? Jehovah Shammah means “THE LORD IS THERE” (Ezekiel 48:35, Psalms 46, Matthew 28:20). God has gone before you and is right behind you. Ask Him to give you a glimpse of Himself in your situation. Ask Him to multiply your five loaves of bread and two fish, too, as He did for the disciples in feeding the five thousand – they even had leftovers to take home (Matt. 14:19; Luke 9:16, 17)!
The Message says it this way, “So, friends, it’s obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn’t slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God’s Message to you, defiant of the opposition.” So, say with Paul, “we are sure of ourselves in God!”
Listen to Phil Wickham Hymn of Heaven ( Official lyric video) 6/25/21.