Deeper Reflection
CENTRAL IN PAUL’S ASKING THE THESSALONIANS TO PRAY for him (vv.1-2), his encouragement to them (v.4) and his prayer for them (v.5) is “the Lord is faithful” (v.3). “The Lord is faithful” here is a theological statement of truth about the Lord that Paul is making. They are not mere words, that can be hollow and empty. Paul says these words with conviction and confidence, out of his own experience of God’s faithfulness in his life.I started writing for this Devotional Journal (DJ) in 2013, after being assigned by the church leadership. Along the way, a practical question was asked, “Will it be sustainable?” I believe that if this is to be sustained, it will be God who sustains it. Shortly after I started writing, God gave me a promise for this task, which I take as assigned by Him: “I am the LORD your God who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you’” (Isa 41:13). The words, “Do not fear, I will help you”, are always so assuring and reassuring. The writing has not been easy. In those times when I said, “Lord, it is not easy to write on this text”, God saw me through…somehow, somehow and somehow. It has been a faith journey. This is my 10th year writing for the DJ and God has never failed to keep His promise. God’s faithfulness has built in me the confidence to say to Him, “Lord, I trust in You. I know and I thank You, that You will surely help me, as You have promised me.”