June 24, 2024
Read Judges 11, Song of Songs 8, 2 Thessalonians 1
Who are some people that you thank God for having in your life? Parents, close friends, or spiritual mentors? Why do you thank God for these people? In the introduction to his second letter to the church in Thessalonica Paul writes, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” vv. 3-4. Paul meet the people of Thessalonica on his second mission trip. He was so thankful for them as a people, but his letter also says he was thankful for their growing faith, and their love for each other is also growing. Paul recognized the trails they underwent and their ability to endure through them.
If you realize that you do not thank God enough for the people in your life, now is the time to change that. Take some time and list 4-5 people and spend time thanking God for them and the specific reasons that you are thankful for them. Maybe they were a blessing to you, maybe they were an encouragement or example you followed, or maybe they were just a friend that you needed by your side. What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 