Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians Archives

Growing in Grace

By Andrew YoungApril 2, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“We ought always to thank God for you… because your faith is growing more and more…” (2 Thessalonians 1:3) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 With the Easter week having passed, we return to the Thessalonian letters in our morning devotionals. The two letters are sufficiently similar to make it valuable to look at them one after the other. We do not know the time gap between the two – it was probably only a matter of a few months. Paul, Timothy and Silas were in Corinth when this second letter was written. They had learned that the Thessalonians were being […]

Comfort in Troubles

By Andrew YoungApril 3, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right…” (2 Thessalonians 1:5) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7 Turning from idols to serve the true and living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9) had resulted in the Thessalonian Christians suffering persecution. It was only natural that they should wonder how “just” this God was. It is this question that Paul addresses as he begins his second letter. Their troubles, far from calling into question God’s faithfulness, were, in fact, proving an occasion for him to show that his “judgment is right” (2 Thessalonians 1:5). It wasn’t happening in him shielding them from persecution, […]

Two Destinies

By Andrew YoungApril 4, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“They will be punished with everlasting destruction… on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people…” (2 Thessalonians 1:5) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 We have seen that Paul comforts the Thessalonians in their suffering for the gospel with the promise of “relief… when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7). His coming will result in “payback” for those who have troubled his people; it will be a day of “punishment” (v. 8) or, at it is better translated, “vengeance.” This will be the fate of “those who […]

A Prayer for Power

By Andrew YoungApril 5, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you… that by his power… (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 As in many of his letters, Paul includes an account of how he prays for the Thessalonian Christians. In this case, assured that they are true believers who will share in the glory of Christ when he returns, Paul prays constantly that they might experience God’s power in their lives. This is how he puts it: “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his […]

Dark Days Ahead

By Andrew YoungApril 6, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 The theme of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him” (2 Thessalonians 2:1) dominates Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians. Clearly, it was an event that both excited and disturbed them. It appears that at least some of the Thessalonian Christians had been “shaken” and “alarmed” by a “prophecy, report or letter” that had supposedly come from Paul saying that “the day of the Lord had already come” (v. […]

Held Back

By Andrew YoungApril 7, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“And now, you know what is holding him back…” (2 Thessalonians 2:6) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 In this larger section (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12), we have the fullest treatment in the New Testament of the emergence of a powerful anti-God figure at the end of history. While it is not particularly edifying to read about such a person, it is nevertheless part of what we need to know to face the future with calmness and strength. Paul had obviously spoken at some length with the Thessalonians about this figure while he was with them (v. 5). He had told them […]

Lying Signs and Wonders

By Andrew YoungApril 8, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“The coming of the lawless one… is with all power and false signs and wonders.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 We have one more section relating to the man of lawlessness to look at. It deals with the manner of his coming – the kinds of actions he will perform. Paul tells us that they will be “in accordance with the work of Satan” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). His activities will be displayed in “all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil…” (vs. 9, 10). Satan is the great deceiver. He seeks […]

Loved, Chosen, Called, Saved

By Andrew YoungApril 9, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“…from the beginning God chose you to be saved…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 I confess that I have sighed with relief this morning as we have moved from considering the “man of lawlessness” to another more positive topic. As important as it has been to read and ponder the emergence of this satanic agent in the future, it is so much better to come into the sunshine of the gospel again. And how bright the light that greets us as we turn to the verses before us. The apostle, in the immediately preceding context, has been […]

Strengthened in Deed and Word

By Andrew YoungApril 10, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“May [He]…strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:17) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 We need to keep in mind that this letter was written to a church suffering persecution and heavy trials. There were also at least a number of people” unsettled and alarmed” by reports that the day of the Lord had already come (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2:2). Paul’s purpose throughout it is to encourage the church as a whole to continue strong in the faith as it waits for the Lord to return. In these verses, he expresses another prayer-wish for the Thessalonian believers. […]

Praying for Evangelists

By Andrew YoungApril 11, 2018Devotionals: 2 Thessalonians

“Finally, brothers, pray for us….” (2 Thessalonians 3:1) Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 It has been said that spiritual people are not those who engage in particular religious activities but those who live their lives in constant interaction with the unseen heavenly realm. By that definition, Paul was indeed a “spiritual” man. For we see him here, as he nears the end of his second letter to the Thessalonians, appealing to his friends to pray for him (2 Thessalonians 3:1). What is this but an expression of a life lived in an atmosphere of dependence upon God? In this […]