1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 & 3:1-5

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 & 3:1-5  But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.  For we wanted to come to you — certainly I, Paul, did, again and again — but Satan stopped us.  For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?  Indeed, you are our glory and joy.  So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.  In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted.  And it turned out that way, as you well know.  For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith.  I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

In the above passage, we see Paul as a loving and faithful spiritual father to his new converts in Thessalonica.  He expresses concern for his spiritual children's viability in the faith, just as a natural father would be concerned for his children's physical survival.   He knows the trials and persecutions the Thessalonians are experiencing might mitigate their boldness in expressing the gospel of Christ.  Therefore, he sent Timothy, his beloved fellow servant, to his precious Thessalonians to strengthen and encourage them in their faith so they would not become unsettled by these trials they were facing.  Paul could not come to the Thessalonians because the devil prevented him from doing so; therefore, he had to send Timothy as a surrogate father in the faith.  Satan's interference in Paul's plans to go back to Thessalonica to support this fledging church reveals a definite source of evil that can hinder the work of God temporarily.  Evidently, Satan had power to disrupt this apostle's work.  In the Old Testament we see Satan interfering with the answering of one of Daniel's prayers.  “Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the prince (angel of darkness) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.  Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.  Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”  (Daniel 10:12-14)    

Paul could not go to the Thessalonians because he was prevented by Satan.  Sometimes our plans for our children and loved ones are thwarted by the evil one himself.  Sometimes our prayers are not answered immediately, but that does not prevent God from triumphing and carrying out his perfect will if we are faithful and trust him continually.  Of course, everything falls under God's domain, his authority and ultimate control.  But sometimes God's servants have to choose an alternate plan and listen carefully for wisdom from on high.  In the above case, Paul sends Timothy to the Thessalonians when they hoped to see Paul.  Timothy was not Paul's first plan, but it was probably in the final analysis the best plan for the new converts.  Now they would see and hear another passionate, dedicated voice testify of following God even to the point of giving one's life for Christ without concern for self.  They would easily see that Timothy, Paul's substitute and spiritual son, possessed the same spirit Paul possessed and obeyed God with equal intensity and consistency.  Therefore, Timothy's similar dedication and total commitment to God were not just Paul's attributes but instead were the chief characteristics of people fully possessed by and filled with the Holy Spirit. Today's scriptures clearly confirm we should never give up believing for our children, loved ones, and friends to grow in faith and to find healing for their physical infirmities.  As we remain faithful servants of God who trust and obey the Lord and desire the best for the people He has called us to love and to serve, we will see miraculous answers to prayer in our lifetimes.  Daniel was considered highly esteemed by the Lord.  We do not have to wonder why he earned this position of favor with God: highly esteemed.  The biblical description of his life reveals a man of deep faith and obedience to God, a man who earned favor because he put God above the powers of this world.  To honor his love for God, he was willing to face the fiery furnace; he was willing to face the lions; he was willing to go against the highest earthly powers.  No matter what was set before him, he willingly laid his life on the line for his God and his Lord.  He definitely earned the title: highly esteemed.  People could look to Daniel as an example of faith.  No one had to worry the tempter would lead Daniel astray or cause him to lose faith.  

We who are IN CHRIST are also highly esteemed because of Christ's finished salvation work on the cross.  We are the children of God who call God Abba Father, a closer relationship than Daniel's walk of dependence upon God.  The Bible says: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  (1 John 3:1-2)  We who are IN CHRIST are highly esteemed in God's eyes; consequently, as all faithful, obedient children, we trust our Abba Father completely.  We persistently offer our petitions, but we go the distance in any situation regardless of the circumstances or outcomes, knowing everything is in his hands.  God finds no pleasure in those who turn back, and He promises never to leave or to forsake his own.  The Children of Israel left Egypt rejoicing but faltered in their faith, failing to believe God could defeat the giants in the land and deliver the Promised Land to them.  They did not believe God would answer their prayers and fulfill his will for them.  The people's spirits fell when Satan spoke through the mouths of the ten doubters who described the giants in the land and the heavily guarded fortresses around the cities.  They could not believe Joshua and Caleb's good report of the land flowing with milk and honey.  God's will is perfect, but Satan is also on the court of life, attempting to distract and to defeat us.  He sometimes interferes with our goals and God's plans for us on Earth.  But, my friend, even though situations seem impossible at times, even though you see giants and strong fortresses against you, continue to believe you your whole household will be saved to enter into the Promised Land.  Regardless of the temptations not to believe: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)  God leads and feeds his sheep.  His sheep listen for his voice and hear and obey him when He speaks.  He calls you by name today.  Please stop listening to the voices of interference and answer his tender call.