20 Dec January 25th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

STANDING FIRM IN THE LORD

1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love . . .we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”

The Christians in Thessalonica were under persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.  St. Paul, because of his imprisonment, is unable to go to Thessalonica to personally give them his encouragement.  He sent Timothy in his place.  Timothy visited and returned giving Paul a report on the situation.  The most significant part of Timothy’s report was the believers were “standing firm in the Lord.”

That the Christians in Thessalonica were remaining strong in their faith and trust in Jesus lifted Paul’s spirits greatly.  There was nothing more important to him than the faith the Holy Spirit had worked in the hearts of those who had come to faith in Jesus Christ through his preaching and teaching the gospel.

Are you “standing firm” in your faith?  Satan, the world, and your sinful flesh are doing everything possible to cause you to turn away from your faith and trust in Jesus.  They do so through family members who pressure you to use your precious Sundays for outings, travel, taking care of your home and the like.  Non-Christian friends put subtle pressure on you to not attend worship services in order to play golf, go fishing, hunting, take a day trip and so many other social activities.  Your employer changes your work schedule insisting you work every Sunday.  The list is endless, isn’t it?

In the face of these temptations, these challenges to your faith, these battles for your soul, Jesus calls you to faithfulness (Revelation 2:10b), to remain one with Him (Galatians 3:26.)  This is what St. Paul wrote regarding what it meant for him to believe in Jesus, “ . . . whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” (Philippians 3:7-8) Standing firm in your faith and trust in Jesus alone gives you the assurance of the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life in heaven.

Prayer:  Jesus, lead me each day along the road of righteousness for Your names sake that I stand firm in this faith to life everlasting.  In Your holy name.  Amen.

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won;

And although the way be cheerless,

We will follow calm and fearless.

Guide us by Thy hand To our Fatherland.

If the way be drear, If the foe be near,

Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;

Let not faith and hope forsake us;

For through many-a-woe To our home we go.

When we seek relief From a long-felt grief,

When temptations come alluring,

Make us patient and enduring.

Show us that bright shore

Where we weep no more.

Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won.

Heav’nly leader, still direct us,

Still support, console, protect us,

Till we safely stand In our Fatherland.

(LSB 718)