This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue reading the Pauline Epistles.
What Is 2 Thessalonians? A follow-up to Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica, the book of 2 Thessalonians offers further clarification on how to live the Christian life in light of Christ’s promised return. This letter calls believers to stand firm in their faith, following Christ’s example.
How 2 Thessalonians Fits Into the Story: Second Thessalonians continues the themes found in 1 Thessalonians: persecution, sanctification, and the second coming of Jesus. The letter proclaims that salvation in Christ, though already true, will be ultimately fulfilled when He comes again, overthrowing evil and bringing rest and glory. This letter reminds us that God loves His people and gives them great comfort and hope, even in the midst of persecution.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Christ’s endurance provide you with hope in your current circumstances?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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41 thoughts on "2 Thessalonians"
Really thought this verse reflected perseverance…13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
We must watch and fight and pray never ceasing.
All things are possible through Christ who saved us.
Even as believers, we will face adversity. We must continue to stand firm in our faith and be patient while waiting for the Lord to fulfill his promises. Knowing He will and they will be so worth the wait. Lord help me to have endurance like Christ’s.
Rhonda J. Thank you for sharing worship songs you are listening to. I love to add to my playlist!
We can face difficult times in life knowing with certainty that God will meet us in that situation and provide us with what we need to get through it. The Holy Spirit will give us comfort, peace, etc, just like He did with Jesus, who was fully human. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
I’m so thankful for God’s Word. Standing firm in the faith, knowing God’s will is better than my own, being patient in suffering. I pray I would become more like Jesus in these things.
ERB, not sure you will come back to look at this, but I just got home from work, and finally read what you wrote this morning. All good. Would be lovely to sip tea with you and discuss all of these things. I loved the verses about His delight and so will your Builder marry you. Amen that He is anxious to complete the work He starts. May we all find joy in the way He shapes us, through His Word, the circumstances we have to deal with, and the way His Spirit teaches us through others, and challenges. Hugs dear Sister. So blessed. Don’t know if you will check this, but hope you do. Or I will mention it tomorrow.
I feel like the reading today is urging us believers to live our life’s as a witness to those around us. I pray that I would do that. I pray that I would witness to those around me by the words I say, by my actions and by the way I treat people.
Christ’s endurance is explained in Hebrews as being: “For the joy that was set before him.” I keep circling back to this verse. It’s so not the way I endure difficulties or injustice. I try to remember that as a believer, the endurance of Christ is available to me. I too can have opportunities to persevere… “For the joy that will be set before me”! What Hope filled thought!
After multiple interruptions, I can finally comment!
What a thrill it was to see the passage in Matthew (that I referred to yesterday)! Knowing that these readings are scheduled way in advance, I feel like that is something God really wanted me to see. I will be chewing on that for a while! My takeaway today is from Hebrews 12:1-2: paraphrased -Knowing Heaven is the “finish line” (victory circle, etc.), we should run the race of life with our eyes on Jesus trusting Him to keep us on course.
TINA, you blessed my heart this morning! My heart goes out to you and your family in your sorrow and I continue to lift up little Ollie and his mom. <3 Hugs to you dear sister from across the pond!!!
Shes, Praying God hears and blesses each and every need, spoken and unspoken!
Love your comments @Kelly, writing down, “I can have hope because God is using every circumstance for His glory”. ❤️
Angie, thank you so much for praying for me! Bless you! Also, regarding your teenagers, sometimes I wonder if being strict only helps certain kids. My parents were strict and it helped me, but with my sisters they rebelled a little bit against the strictness. Perhaps it did save them from more tempting situations, but it’s hard to tell.
Christ is my everything! Especially in my current circumstances. Many times I feel like I’m a wee little thing, unnoticed, lacking communication skills while trying to get my point across without sounding offensive. And trust me that’s not what I want to do. I want to get better at word usage and communication. I keep in mind that Christ my God sees it all and He knows my intentions and my heart. Yes I’m sinful and weak and fail BUT MY GOD still loves me and my strength only comes from Him alone.
Many times, I wish that God’s will would be MY will. Today’s readings encourage patience. God always knows what He’s doing.
Our Jesus – God and man, The scripture today so good in the reminder that He is our Encourager, He gives us strength. Matthew 26:36-46 and Hebrews 12:1-2 Do you feel the weight of the crucifixion here? What Jesus endured that we might have salvation, forgiveness, freedom, eternity. I wondered if the disciples had been able to stay awake and pray with Jesus, what would have changed. He told them to avoid temptation. I wonder, maybe would Peter not have cut off the soldier’s ear? Maybe not have denied knowing Jesus? Would maybe they not have run away in fear? It leaves me knowing I need to be stronger in my prayers, for I know He answers, He is faithful and the Holy Spirit prays with me, for me when I do not know what to pray. Praise our Lord for this. The verse that really struck me was Hebrews 12:2b For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The shame here, I never really focus on the shame, but the shame that was put upon Jesus, God, but that He endured for the joy, the joy of our redemption, for us. What a gift that God would do this for me/us all.
Praying for you Jody Lynn and your daughter. I can not imagine all she and your family have been through. Lord Jesus, asking your favor on this child of yours, Lord a completely clear scan and more than that Father that her body would remain cancer free and her life would be full of You Lord and your light and love. Peace and Joy for this family and all glory to you God, in Jesus name I pray.
AZ Walker – praying for your nephew and sister. Addiction is such a hard road for the person caught and the craziness it brings to families, I know and I will be praying for His miracles.
Praising God with you Victoria E thankful for your news!!
Gina, thanking God for your news for your husband, and praying continued healing for him and also you.
Traci Gendron – joining Tina’s prayers today for Tom and Tanner and you sweet Sister.
Jennifer Collings – may God give you discernment and wisdom in your decision and peace for your heart. He is faithful.
Taylor and Heather Hahn – loved your words this morning thank you.
A privilege to pray with you and for you Sisters – I have a praise, visitation has been set up for my daughter and I get time with my granddaughters this weekend and every other weekend. This is such a praise as because of this battle, their location was being kept from Lindy and me. Thankful the judge put an end to that and please pray with me that my sweet girls will just be blessed and feel God’s love so mighty around them. Thank you for all of your prayers.
Dear ERB – God is good. Isaiah 62 seems to be all that is being declared for Israel, God’s favor returning and the last verse the joy and foretelling of Jesus. I love the these verses in my head I hear someone shouting them out to the people and rejoicing for God’s gifts
Isaiah 62:11-12
The Lord has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.’”
12 They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
Know I am praying for you dear friend, let me know how it is going with the medication. Your words always bless me. Praying for your brother too. Thanking God for all He is going to do.
Hugs to you and all y’all my Sisters across this world. We are the Redeemed, we are His, Praise God.
This whole reading and the entire book of 2 Thess is so perfect for where I’m at right now. I keep falling asleep waiting on the Father.
LOTS of awesome scriptures in today’s reading!!! These are the ones that stood out to me…
James and Hebrews especially!!!
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 “ But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
Mathew 26:39 …”Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 …”let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
James 5:8-9 “You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged.
James 5:11 “ See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
Sisters, please know that I am thinking, praying and praising God for EACH and Every One of you!!! Be Blessed today!! Carry Him with you wherever you go and in whatever you’re doing!!! ❤️
I was struck by how deeply Jesus prayed in the garden. His heart and soul reached out to God His father in such a personal way. I remember that feeling of deep prayer and reaching out to God my Father when I couldn’t sleep in the midst of my darkest hours. It was like water, I needed it to live. Thank you Father God for being there when we reach out to you in our darkest hours and for sustaining us through it, just as you did Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Thank you ladies for your responses and prayers for me and my daughter. It touches my heart so much to read your replies. I love this praying community that we have here and I am very grateful for it. I wanted to share something that happened at my last lunch meeting with my daughter that was truly from God as an encouragement and confirmation to what many of you have shared and said. While we were talking at the restaurant, a young bus boy came up to us and asked me if I was a Christian. I said yes. He said, “I’m a Christian too.” And then he took a big breath and delivered what he said he felt like the Lord was telling him to say to me. His words were very similar to the ones you have spoken here. Keep praying. Don’t lose heart. Turn it over to God. He is faithful. He pursues and chases the lost. I was touched by his courage and humbled that God would be so kind as to speak to me at a time when things seem so bleak. Later, as I was reflecting on this boy’s words, I realized that it happened on the 28th of the month, which is the same date that is my Ebenezer, the day 5 years ago that my marriage seemingly fell apart, but also the day when God started to work a miracle in healing that which was very much broken.
MAURA, I highlighted the entire chapter again!! And I put some emphasis on the parts that STOOD OUT to me as well as the [definitions] of a few words!! Isaiah 62:1-12 is FULL of nuggets and promises fulfilled!!! God restored/restores more than we could ever think possible!!! SOOO GOOD and so relevant!!!! I broke down the verses as I read them:
Header: Zion’s New Name
1 For Zion’s sake I WILL NOT KEEP SILENT, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, HER SALVATION WILL BE LIKE A BLAZING TORCH. 2 The nations WILL SEE your vindication, and ALL kings YOUR GLORY; you will be CALLED A NEW NAME that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 YOU WILL BE A CROWN OF SPLENDOR IN THE LORD’S HAND, a royal diadem [type of crown, specifically an ornamental headband] in the hand of your God. 4 NO LONGER will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate.
“But you will be called HEPHZIBAH [my delight is in her], and your land Beulah [married]; FOR THE LORD WILL TAKE DELIGHT IN YOU, and your land WILL be married. 5 As a young man marries a young woman, so will YOUR BUILDER marry you; as a bridegroom REJOICES over his bride, SO WILL YOUR GOD REJOICE OVER YOU.”
6 I have posted WATCHMEN on your walls, Jerusalem; THEY WILL NEVER BE SILENT day or night. You who CALL on the Lord, GIVE YOURSELVES NO REST, 7 and GIVE HIM NO REST till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
8 The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “NEVER AGAIN will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and NEVER AGAIN will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; 9 BUT THOSE WHO HARVEST IT WILL EAT IT and PRAISE the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of MY SANCTUARY.” 10 Pass through, pass through the gates! PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE PEOPLE. Build up, build up the highway! REMOVE THE STONES. RAISE A BANNER for the nations.
11 The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘SEE YOUR SAVIOR COMES! SEE, HIS REWARD IS WITH HIM, and his recompense [reward] accompanies him.’” 12 THEY WILL BE CALLED the HOLY PEOPLE, the REDEEMED of the Lord; and you will be called SOUGHT AFTER, the CITY NO LONGER DESERTED.”
There is SO much in these verses!!!! My spirit is bubbling over… I wish we could just sit and chat about all that’s in here!!! So much revelation and understanding, accompanied by excited anticipation and analogies!! I am overwhelmed!!! LOOK at what the Lord DOES!!! And HOW FAITHFUL He is!!!! Let us SHOUT out in PRAISE for ALL that He has done and is STILL doing!!! The road we journey may be loooong and fraught with difficulties and obstacles…but WOW, He is ever FAITHFUL and ANXIOUS to COMPLETE the work He starts!!! SO Encouraging!!! ALL praise, glory and honor be to Him alone!!!
Be Blessed today sweet sister and KNOW that God is with and for you!!! Here’s to a completed work!! In His name, Amen!!
Here is another song that is so encouraging during the storms of life. Peace Be Still- Lauren Daigle’s live version-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUpKZz0Nm7c
We think of the things that way on our hearts, and then read how Jesus prayed and had a heavy heart…wow. That is just so profound to think about, the suffering he knew that was coming, and why he was here, for us! So powerful, and so encouraging that we can turn that heaviness over to him. Here’s my Heart Lord, speak what is true. Here’s my Life Lord, speak what is true. (song I’m listening to right now by Casting Crowns)
I hope all of you can lay your heart down, and trust the Lord to do only what he can do.
Rhonda, you don’t know how much I needed to hear this, this morning. I will search this song and listen to it.
Praying. Grateful for His mercy and grace.
Victoria E – I am praising God with you for your wonderful news at the doctor. I prayed so often during the day on Tuesday and Wednesday. The teens stayed until almost 1 am after watching, The Passion of Christ, then talked, and dealt, with some struggles they are having. That means I did not do my usual, pass through the requests before bed and pray, which means I missed your update. Wednesday I had time for the Bible reading and praying for requests, but not responding. I read people’s comments of praise for your news and was searching for it. I was praising and thankful but wanted details! Then, lying in bed last night I realized you might have posted on Tuesday after your appointment and updated. Hoorah! Praising God for the joy in hearing that precious heartbeat and seeing the life He has created. He is in the details and loves you completely. Amen!
As I read today’s scripture I decided both Thessalonians verses and the Hebrews verse are perfect to pass on to my teenage ladies, which is such a blessing! The girls are being pressured tremendously right now as they go into their senior year. Some have given in and feel shame and guilt, others are teetering, and some have stood strong. Interestingly, the ones who have stood the strongest have stayed away from situations that would put them into temptation.
Paul’s use of the word command, in 2 Thessalonians 3:4, grabbed me. I feel like we don’t “command” the following of the principles God laid out for us well in today’s world. Command is a term we would rarely use. We don’t command little children to obey unless it is a serious situation. (I told my sons growing up that, “delayed obedience is disobedience,” not so much because I wanted immediate obedience to me but because when they were little I was the authority, I wanted them to obey the true authority, God, immediately and not delay, when they were old enough to chose obedience to Him.) In my classroom I get the children to obey by constant gentle, consistent, love and relationship. I seldom command – only regarding lying, stealing, or hurting someone else – those are command type, do not do…rules. In life, I tend to “present” the truth of His word and share the good and bad consequences I have experienced as I obeyed or not. I guess I am thinking about my teen girls and wondering if the freedom and little boundaries their parents are giving them is best? Right now they seem to be crying out for an authority figure in their life to give them some “commands” to help them be strong. At the same time they are crying out for them, I know they would fight them. Our own sons used to get frustrated with us for being the “mean” parents who set boundaries, and yet both came to us in their early years of college and later in adulthood and thanked us for the boundaries we set. They said it helped them not get into some of the situations others did. We were an easy excuse to avoid temptation. Praise God for the commands, statutes, rules, love and guidance He has provided and continues to provide through the Holy Spirit. We are a blessed people. Oh how much better things are when we lean into the love of God, trust Him, and obey.
“This letter reminds us that God loves His people and gives them great comfort and hope, even in the midst of persecution.”…Thank You Jesus! Please give me Your eyes to see…”See, we count as blessed those who have endured…Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
Please help me to be faithful, patient and surrendered to You, even when “it’s not fair”…I LOVE YOU! I look forward to writing the praise that I know will come. I want to write “But God…”
Today’s reading was so moving for me. Sometimes I read passages and feel God is hugging me saying it will be ok. My heart has been heavy with the upcoming school year and all the unknowns. I did to follow Jesus example and lay it down at the feet of Jesus. Thank you for your prayers I did sleep better last night, but please continue to pray for my sleep and my healing. My muscles in my chest and back spasm often and it’s so painful.
Stand firm. Be patient. Wait on the Lord. These were phrases that stuck out to me during the passages. In my current circumstances I feel confident I’m walking within God’s will for my life in this season, but because of that I also feel more attacks from the devil on my mind trying to sway me with doubt and fear. These verses were such an encouragement to STAND FIRM. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “BUT GOD is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (my paraphrase): Throw off EVERYTHING that hinders; fix my eyes on JESUS.” Jesus fought His fight and gives us the Holy Spirit to fight ours as well. Our hope is built on NOTHING LESS!!! May everyone fight their fights and run their races will hope and encouragement today <3 Suiting up with the armor of God!
Sisters,
Please say a quick prayer for me.
I’m so discouraged last night/this morning…I truly believe God is working but, am seeing that I will again end up being the “fall guy” (scapegoat) for errors made by others in a situation that is already so full of…Ugh!!
Today is the day I have planned for weeks and am taking 2 of my friends on a mini-roadtrip to help THEM decompress…I’m the driver and my head aches from lack of sleep.
(Thanks…now I’ll start the Devo.)
The passage from Matthew moved me this morning. A new light to the suffering Jesus endured in anticipation of what was to come. How thankful I am for our savior.
I was thinking about Jesus’s life last night. I can not imagine the stress I would have if I knew my entire life that one day I would be laying down my life (in such a manner) for all the people of the earth. The good people and the bad people. The ones that beat him, spit in his face, mocked him, etc. He always knew he was going to do such a thing. During his life his faith NEVER wavered. The love that he has for everyone is the most beautiful thing ever created! I praise and thank him for it.
Amen Heather Hahn. I pray for you and your marriage.
Asking for prayer for a tough decision I have to make. I kneel before Jesus asking for calm in my heart over the choices I have. If God loved us so much that he sent his beloved Jesus to save us then my hope is in him and not this broken world.
I’m praying for you right not Jennifer.
*now ❤️
When I am in the habit of daily opening the Bible, I find God brings people or circumstances to mind as I read. The more regularly I do the more ways it strikes. Yesterday had words for my heart; today had words for someone else. So thankful that God’s Word is LIVING AND ACTIVE.
His perseverance teaches me to continue forward in hope because Jesus knew the end of the story and so do we! The victory is Yours God!!
1. Christ’s endurance gives me the example of learning to rely on my Heavenly Father for strength and wisdom and direction. Even in the midst of suffering, I can have hope because God is using every circumstance for His glory.
2. The plan God has for redemption is set in stone. I may not understand the journey or the seeming detours but I can rest that I will arrive to my destination in His perfect time.
Just catching up on yesterdays study..
A day late, but my prayers for you are from the heart..
Thankful for each and everyone of you here..
JODY LYNN.. Praying for your daughter Sophia, and for the tests to come back with a resounding ALL CLEAR..
God is good… always.❤
AZ WALKER.. lifting your nephew, your sister and you up in prayer.. God us unchanging, He is near… hold fast.❤
CLAIRE B.. Will be praying for you and your shoulder. I would rather pray for total healing.. if I may..why ask for more trouble when you can have no trouble.. right?❤
MARI V..Missing my dear friend Churchmouse too..❤
TRACY GENDRON..continued prayers for Tom and Tanner.. Praising God in Tom’s return home and Tanner beating the odds..
Thankful for you and your prayers..❤
DOROTHY.. I agree, rejoicing isn’t just dancing, it is an action of the heart..
God bless you..❤
VICTORIA E..what wonder filled and wonderful news! Praising Our God, who is faithful, with you..❤
ADRIENNE.. So so true, happiness is man-made, joy comes from within, your innermost being.. Holy Spirit led..❤
LAURA..Lifting you and your daughter as you both navigate this season..
Not easy as and for a mother..
BUT GOD..
❤
FOSTER MAMA..God bless you for your kindness and generosity of time in prayer for us all. Prsying right back for you and your situation..❤
ERB..Hoping your days are good and that life is being kind to you..❤
CEE GEE.. ❤
TAYLOR..❤
MELANIE.. lifting you up in prayer, hope filled that your pain will be gone in the Mighty name of Jesus, who promises that where two or more are gathered together in my name..He will hear..
Praying❤
SYDNEY..Thank you for your comment, spot on I think..❤
MIRI AM.. sorry for your troubles..BUT GOD..
He sees. He knows. He is near. He us making a new thing. He is preparing! Amen..❤
SEARCHING..Blessings dear sister, for your heart..❤
Thank you, Tina, you are right. How often do we ask for just a bit. You are kind to have us all in your prayers. We have all had you on our hearts as well as your family in this time of loss. We still pray Churchmouse is well.
I cannot understand what Jesus must have felt, the sorrow and fear of those last hours, days and even the years he began his ministry—knowing of the love his God had for him but seeing his creation first hand and oh so loving them. Still his faith in the Father endured. It was his commitment.
I know he must have loved us a great deal to suffer so much