II Thessalonians 3

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (3:5). The Thessalonians faced challenges like persecution (1:4) and spiritual warfare (3:3). They also had to deal with the disruptive behavior of individuals in the community who were “idle” and, instead of working, caused trouble (3:6- 11). Paul urged the believers to work hard, admonish one another, and to “never tire of doing what is good” (13). When their own love and endurance faltered, they could rely on God’s love and “Christ’s perseverance”.

Nothing we face, whether inner challenges or outward conflicts, is too much for our Lord, who promises to give us “peace at all times and in every way” (3:16).