Day 18

2 Thessalonians

from the This Is the New Testament reading plan


2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Psalm 22:25-31, Matthew 26:36-46, Hebrews 12:1-2, James 5:7-11

BY She Reads Truth

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.

Post Comments (41)

41 thoughts on "2 Thessalonians"

  1. Victoria E says:

    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.

  2. Mari V says:

    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.

  3. Adrienne says:

    Many times, I wish that God’s will would be MY will. Today’s readings encourage patience. God always knows what He’s doing.

  4. Maura says:

    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.

  5. Anna Cyr says:

    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.

  6. ERB says:

    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!!! ❤️

  7. Laura says:

    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.

  8. ERB says:

    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!!

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