II Thessalonians 1

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly …” (v3).  Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for their “steadfastness and faith” in the midst of their troubles (v4).  They didn’t crumble when life was hard, and in fact, their love for God and one another kept growing.  Paul encouraged them to stay strong and to wait for Jesus Himself to return and bring justice (v5-10). 

Rather than an easy life, Paul prayed that believers would fulfill their callings, “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power” (v11).