Our reading in 1 Thessalonians 2:17 opens with Paul writing to the Thessalonians that he had been “torn away…” from them even though he made every effort to stay in Thessalonica and be there with his church family.
When I read these words, I picture a war like scene where children are ripped from the loving arms of their fathers and mothers and taken away.
Paul loved this young Thessalonican church like they were his own flesh and blood. It pained him when he was forced to leave, and he ached for the time when he could be reunited with them once again.
And isn’t it just like Satan to tear us apart from our loved ones.
We see in verse 18:
“For we wanted to come to you – certainly I, Paul, did, again and again – but Satan stopped us.”
Satan is always trying to hinder us, stop us…create destruction in lives.
He divides families, friends, nations and yes, even churches.
Why? Because he knows we are stronger when we are together. When we are alone and isolated, we are more tempted to be discouraged, to give up, to think the work we are doing doesn’t matter. When we are alone, we are more tempted to listen to his lies.
But even in this heartache of pain…God was not thwarted.
Satan may have thought he had won this battle by forcing Paul to leave this young Thessalonian church…but God had something better in mind.
Out of Paul’s heartache and deep love for the men and women in this church, God inspired him to write 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. A letter written to a young church encouraging it to stay strong with the reminder that Jesus Christ will soon return. God has used these two powerful letters to encourage and give hope to millions of Christians throughout the ages.
What Satan meant to hinder, stop, tear apart…God used to unite and strengthen His children in their time of need.
Make no mistake. What may appear as a setback to you, might be just the thing God is going to use as your comeback.
When it came to what brought Paul joy, it wasn’t his accomplishments but instead his people. Because of Paul’s love for God and his father-like love for this young church, he considered them his greatest joy, just like God does for us.
Like he did to Paul, Satan will put obstacles in your life; he will try to stop you and discourage you from loving others well. But choose to love anyway.
You never know what God is up to…