Deeper Reflection
FOR THE THESSALONIANS, THE INDICATION OF THE WORD
of God “is at work in you” (v.13) was how they imitated God’s churches
in Judea in their suffering from their own countrymen (v.14). Suffering
is an indication of the Word of God working in our lives. This doesn’t
make sense, does it? But this is what the Word of God tells us, however
strange it may sound. This “strange” reality presupposes that we seek to
live by the Word of God – as it was with the Thessalonians. And closely
knitted to this kind of suffering is endurance. The Thessalonians suffered
with “endurance inspired by hope” (1 Thess 1:3, NIV). Biblically, suffering
and endurance go hand-in-hand, which are necessary for character
development toward Christlikeness (Rom 5:3-4; Jas 1:2-3).There is a trial that has been ongoing daily for a long time, and
increasingly difficult, for my wife and I. As we seek to “not grow weary
and lose heart” (Heb 12:3), we also at times ask, “How long, O Lord?”
(Psa 13:1). Recently, I memorised Job 6:11-13: “What is my strength, that
I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure? Is my strength
the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? Have I any help in me, when
resource is driven from me?” This Scripture gives me the Word of God to
speak to God about my struggles. But its power enables me to endure.As we suffer with endurance by the Word of God, know that the Word of
God is at work in us (see Rom 15:4).