2 Thessalonians 1:5, “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.”
How many difficult circumstances and or battles, have you gone through this past year? You may not be persecuted for your faith, but you know what a season of suffering is like. Paul is telling the Thessalonian church, that the fact that they are being persecuted is proof that they are a part of the kingdom of God. Paul experienced first-hand persecutions and suffering for his faith at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He told the same to Timothy, in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Paul had grit. Despite being kept in prison unjustly, he continued to give thanks to God because of his secure and glorious future. Paul taught that God says we will fight battles and face difficulties. But we have a future reward, a living hope (1 Peter 1:3-9), and by God’s power, He guards us through our sustaining faith by His presence. We are promised our future reward (Matthew 5:10-12) is great in heaven when God will judge and adjust inequalities and matters of injustice will be reversed. Persecutors will be punished, and the persecuted will be rewarded (Philippians 1:28).
The power of prayer and its importance has been impressed upon me these past few months of 2021. I have noticed that most of my prayers have been about avoiding troubles or getting a family member or myself out of a problem. I am searching for an out! It might be a relationship problem that I wish I could insert a do-over. Or, within my work, a situation has gone wrong, and we have another conflict again. I want a quick fix. Then there are the constant political and Covid scenarios. I want to run away, but there is nowhere to go. This is life. Yet is that how I should be praying – focusing mostly on avoiding problems? My brain wants a simple and quick solution. David stated in Psalm 25:15, “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”
When we abide, linger, sit, remain, in God’s presence we always have His presence with us. His grace is sufficient. God is my shield, my deliverer, my comforter. He is full of compassion, and His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in her newsletter on 12/28/21, “My dad always said the real test of a leader is not the way you handle the issues you know are coming – it’s rising to the moment in a crisis you can never plan for.” This is an example of living into our calling with God’s provision, protection, and presence.
Did you know that a diamond takes a tremendous amount of time under pressure over many years and many geological processes to form? The formation of natural diamonds requires very high temperatures and pressures (Geology.com, How Do Diamonds Form?). That is why Peter talks about our faith being purified, in 1 Peter 4:12, by fiery trials. Then James tells us to “Count it all joy when you go through these trials.” So for me to shine more like Christ, like a diamond, the stresses of life will produce Christlike qualities from the lessons He teaches me through them in the end. So my prayers are slowly changing to, OK God, show me Your presence in this. Guide me in Your presence and righteousness as I look for Your coming at any time. Then as I place my faith, trust, and rest in You, will come peace that goes beyond anything I can understand.
Dear reader, know that God counts you as having worthiness, a purpose right now, as well as when you enter into God’s glorious kingdom. Have you fully embraced God’s calling on your life? Bask in His presence. Forget your blunders, mistakes, and move on. Rest in the fact that you have worthiness right now besides the moment your future entrance into Heaven takes place.
Listen to Natalie Grant – Who Else (Official Lyric Video) 6/17/2021