Have you watched any of the videos of atrocities committed against Christians in the Middle East in recent months? (Actually, there has been a fairly lively debate as to whether Christians ought to watch such awful videos. Some say we need to educate ourselves to the realities of the wicked world; others counter that such evil will only pollute our minds.) Christians have been put to death in the most gruesome ways because they would not deny Christ. Here in our land there are constant reports of the basic rights of Christians being denied in our increasingly secular and seemingly hostile world.
It would be easy to conclude that the enemy is winning, wouldn't it? But anyone who makes that conclusion is completely, totally and 100% wrong. In this sinful world the powers of darkness are having their day. They do their evil and it seems they get away with it. But we need to remember...the rest of the story.
Paul wrong to the Thessalonians, people who knew a level of suffering most of us here in America know absolutely nothing about. That church was forged in the fires of suffering and became a people used to being persecuted for their faith,. Paul commended them for their endurance in suffering, repeatedly.
But he also gives them an important assurance in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.
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— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
God's judgment may be delayed but it will not be denied. It is certain and unavoidable. He will "repay with affliction those who afflict you," as he grants relief to the saints who are afflicted. God turns the tables in a power, dramatic and eternal way. Those in power who think they can treat God's children with disdain or cruelty, who think there is no God in heaven whom they need fear, who think they can act with impunity and without fear of judgment - they will find one day that God protects his children. He loves us and he will watch over us.
For those who know Christ, there is glory awaiting at the end of this life of suffering. For those who scorn Christ and afflict his people, there is judgment. God is just and he will act! We need not fear or panic. Even if suffering comes our way we can know that our God is in control, that in the end he will dispense a justice that is both eternal and perfect.
So, when you see things happening in this world that are disconcerting, don't get angry. Don't panic. Don't fall apart. And don't be afraid. Remember the God you serve. He is mighty and powerful and he will protect his people.
Father, thank you for being a God of might and power who will comfort his people and bring justice to those who afflict and persecute us. We can trust you in all things and that is comforting in this sinful world.
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