When we care for someone it is natural that we want to be around them. The Apostle Paul had a very strong affection for the people whom he had introduced to Christ in the city of Thessalonica. He was very grateful for the way they had accepted the gospel. Unfortunately, because Paul was forced to leave the city due to persecution, and he was unable to give the new converts as much teaching as he wanted. Naturally, Paul was concerned whether their faith would be strong enough to withstand the pressure being brought to bear on them. In his first inspired letter to the church at Thessalonica, chapter 2, verse 17 through chapter 3, verse 5, Paul writes, “But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire, because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? For you are our glory and our joy. Therefore, when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.”
This passage raises an interesting question. Paul writes that it was Satan who stopped him from returning to see the people at Thessalonica. Does Satan have the ability to stop God’s plan? While Satan does have the ability to influence events, he does not have the power to thwart God’s work. Satan wishes to destroy God’s plan but his schemes often have the opposite effect of what the Devil intended. God uses them to further his work. Years later Paul was able to write to another group of believers, “Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;” (Philippians 1:12) There is an important lesson here. No matter how bad the situation appears, we should not become discouraged or lose heart. God is still at work even though it may not look like it. He will use even what seem, on the surface, to be disastrous circumstances to accomplish his will.
The text does not say how Satan was able to prevent Paul from returning to Thessalonica. The book of Acts may give us a clue, however. There it is recorded that at the time Paul was driven out of the city, Jason and some of the other believers were forced to post bond. It is possible that the bond was to guarantee that Paul would never return. If that is so, his return would have meant a financial loss to the believers in addition to putting them into trouble with the law.
Paul tells the followers of Christ at Thessalonica that they are his joy and glory. Does this mean that Paul boasted about how many people he had converted and looked on them as something which increased his own prestige and reputation? Not at all. In another place he writes, “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14) The reason Paul could call the believers at Thessalonica his glory is that Christ was exalted and glorified through them. It was their restored relationship with God and the loving relationship which he, himself, had with them which gave him joy. If they were to turn away from Christ, his joy would be diminished.
Paul was naturally concerned that the believers might fall away as the result of the persecution they were suffering. This was why he was so anxious to return to Thessalonica and why, when he was prevented from going himself, he sent Timothy to establish and comfort (NIV, strengthen and encourage) them. This highlights one of the primary responsibilities of church leaders. It is to strengthen and encourage people so that they are able to withstand trials.
Many people have the idea that if someone is going through trouble or persecution that they must have done something wrong or that God is angry with them. Conversely, they think that if someone is pleasing to God, that they will not have troubles. But this is not so. Paul indicates that the followers of Jesus will face persecution and trials. This is in agreement with what Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Why does God allow his people to go through trials? In another place Paul writes, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:” (Romans 5:3-4) Contrary to popular thought, trials are actually evidence of God’s love. The Devil intends them to destroy, but God uses them to help the follower of Christ to grow and develop spiritually. What is our response to trouble? Do we draw nearer to God as result, or do we allow Satan to take us away from Him?
If both God and the Devil use trouble to try to influence us, how can we know whose voice we are hearing? Paul gives us a very important way to tell. He was concerned that the followers of Christ at Thessalonica might have been tempted. Temptation never comes from God. James writes, “Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13) So, if the troubles we face tempt us in any way, we may be sure that it is Satan who is doing the tempting. Once we recognize it for what it is, we can refuse the temptation and draw nearer to God.