2 Thessalonians 2:1b-2a; 3a – “…we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us…Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way…”
Many years ago, while I was an eighth grade science teacher, I had several students approach me and ask me to buy a Christmas wreath or door swag as part of a club fundraiser. Instead of politely declining, I chose to have a little fun and make up a story of why I couldn’t. (If you can’t have fun teasing a 13 year old, why even be a middle school teacher?) The story I told for why I was not in a position to buy a wreath was because I claimed that I didn’t have a front door. As a science teacher, I said, I tinkered after school and had developed an invisible entryway that I couldn’t hang anything on. I was insistent that this was the truth and the students walked away wondering if I was completely insane or maybe a secret genius. Another student observed the entire interaction and looked at me with a side-eye and said, “You could have just told them ‘no’”. But where would the fun be in that???
Fast forward to 2026, where our social media algorithms are full of click bait headlines and the use of AI in just about everything trying to entice us with just enough truth to make the claim believable. Like my former students, we often think, “Is this real?”
I can relate to the believers in ancient Thessalonica who were starting to think that the news of Jesus’ return had already happened was true. The messages they heard sounded reasonable. What if they had missed something? They knew what they had been taught by Paul, but thoughts of ‘what if’ stirred in their hearts and caused them to doubt.
It’s been said that the only way to recognize a counterfeit $100 bill is to have studied a legitimate $100 bill. When you see the ‘real deal’ you learn to identify anything fake.
Paul was (and still is) urging New Testament believers to not get pulled into false teachings and stir up doubts of what God has promised He will do. The only way to stay confident in what is True is to know the Truth inside and out.
In Acts 17 we read about the Bereans who are described as being of more noble character than the Thessalonians (ouch), because “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (v. 11).
Let us take a hint from our Berean brothers and sisters and carefully examine the Scriptures. Let us do what the psalmist of Psalm 119 did and seek God and hide His word in our hearts; learn from His decrees; recount with our lips all the laws that come from His mouth; rejoice in following His statutes, meditate on His precepts, consider His ways, delight in His decrees and not neglect His word. (Ps 119:10-16)
Then we will be able to be confident in the Truth and not be easily swayed by some false messenger.
Reflection Questions
What are some “unrighteous deceptions” (vs 10) you have seen or heard of in our world today?
How often do you consider that there is a saving truth?
How often and how do you verify that what you believe falls in line with the saving truth?
What will happen to those who do not believe in the saving truth?
Prayer
Dear God – You are the giver of all Truth. I pray I am not deceived. Help me to know, love and spread the saving truth.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”
The summer between my second and third grade, my family moved from Michigan to Arizona. I left behind my first best friend, Jenny. We promised each other that we would write to each other frequently so that our friendship could continue even though we were 1900 miles apart. And that’s exactly what we did. All throughout elementary school, junior high, and high school we wrote back and forth sharing the excitements and disappointments of growing up. And while the time between the letters increased as we got older, we managed to stay in touch through college. There were some years even in our early adulthood that we exchanged Christmas cards.
When was the last time that you either sent or received an actual, personalized letter from someone near and dear? What information was exchanged? How did it make you feel? How do you imagine it made the other person feel?
As part of today’s Scripture reading, we begin a second letter from Paul to the church in Thessalonica. His purpose for this follow up is to encourage the believers to continue to persevere in their faith, to correct misunderstandings that had begun to make their way into the teachings, and provide some discipline for those who were not being productive.
It’s the third verse that captured my attention as I read this chapter. How often, in our communication, whether it be written or face-to-face, do we extend the message, “I see how your faith is growing” or “I am so thankful for you” or “I have been bragging about you to others” (see verse four).
Admittedly, I am not good at this sort of talk, especially face-to-face, particularly on Sunday mornings. I am much more comfortable staying on topics that are related to the business of the church, or how the previous week went, and how I am anticipating the events of the upcoming week.
But I think that I should take a note from Paul and start noticing and sharing how I see my friends living out their faith actively. Because even in a church community that stays active and engaged, it can be easy to slip into the feelings of isolation. And I shouldn’t let my awkwardness and insecurities prevent me from telling people that I care about that I see them and their efforts in living like Jesus would want them to and to support them when they might be struggling with something.
I sometimes wonder if Paul had any inclination that the words that he penned 2000 years ago to a specific group of believers would continue to have impact on Christian brothers and sisters centuries later on the other side of the world? But if his words of encouragement and teaching are able to keep us anchored in our faith, how much more would something that we said to another today make a difference?
Dear brothers and sisters,
I am so glad that we are striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Seeing you dig deep when life throws you curveballs encourages me to stay the course in my own faith journey. I am so grateful to God that our paths have crossed and to know that I am not in this alone. To Him, be all glory and honor and praise!
Your friend in the faith,
-bethany
REflection Questions
Who are Christian brothers and sisters you thank God for? Have you let them know?
Whose Christian perseverance do you see that inspires you to keep the faith? Have you told them? (Perhaps if a person you have thought of is currently asleep/dead, there is still someone currently living who would love to hear the impact their loved one had on you.)
Besides the encouragement and thanks found in verses 3 & 4, what else found in the rest of this chapter does Paul want his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica to know and remember? How often do you share this with others? Who do you know who could benefit from hearing this information or reminders this week? Will you tell them?
Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for being the Father with a Big Plan which includes the blessings of a church family today and the promise of an incomparable Coming Kingdom when Your Son returns. Thank You for all those who have taught me and encouraged me and helped be to grow my faith in You. Help me to be grateful and a wise motivator and encouragement to others.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 – “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
School mascots are one of the unifying elements of building culture and community on a campus. As a student and an educator I’ve been associated with more than just a few. I’ve been a: Koala, Hawk, Tiger, Charger, Thunderbird, Wildcat, Lumberjack, Coyote, Cougar, Prospector, and another Cougar and finally, a Spartan. Upon graduating from high school, I received, along with my diploma, a “Once a Charger, Always a Charger” card – which was a game pass for any home game that I wanted to attend as an alumni. At all of these schools, I wasn’t just a student or a teacher on that campus, but I was a (fill in the name of the mascot here). Whether I was on campus, traveling with a school group, or even associating with friends from a different school, I represented my school with the attributes of what our mascot symbolized.
In today’s New Testament reading from 1 Thessalonians, Paul is providing encouragement to the believers in Thessalonica about waiting for Jesus’ return. As we wait for our Lord’s glorious return, we should do so in a manner that embodies who we are in his name.
As children of the Light and children of the Day, we are to live righteously, in peace with others, being generous with our resources, standing firm in our faith, and remaining on alert and self-controlled.
A favorite childhood chorus, “This Little Light of Mine”, is a declaration that the Light lives in us – it’s not just something that we possess, but it’s part of who we are. And because of this truth, we cannot help but shine the Lord’s Light everywhere we go.
This Light influences how we interact with each person with whom we cross paths.
This Light directs the short-term and long-term decisions we make.
This Light prompts us to persevere through trials.
This Light guides us towards godliness.
This Light counsels us when we’re confused and corrects us when we veer off course.
This Light spurs us to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
As you go about your day, consider how you can best illuminate the space you’re in with the Light that comes from our Lord.
Reflection Questions
Who have you witnessed shining as a child of the light? What was helpful, beautiful and appealing about that light?
Do you see yourself as a child of the light? How do you shine? Are there any spaces that you occupy, or people you come in contact with, that you do not currently shine as bright?
“As you go about your day, consider how you can best illuminate the space you’re in with the Light that comes from our Lord.”
Prayer
Dear Father – I thank You for Your light which shines through Your Son and all Your children. Show us what belongs to the night/darkness and what comes from You. Help us shine every day and in every situation we are in so that others may see more clearly You and Your way that leads to life.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.”
NASA has recently made some exciting progress towards the goal of establishing a livable station on the Moon’s surface. Just imagine, in a few short years, we’ll have humans living and working on the Moon. And it’s quite possible that if NASA and its global partners keep their projected timeline, we’ll be sending astronauts to Mars within a decade from now.
The required preparation for such feats is staggering. Transporting humans is only one piece of the puzzle. Determining how to have a sustainable existence in space is another. Why? Because space, for all its glory and wonder, is NOT where humans were meant to exist. It’s not our natural habitat. Learning how to support living beings where the necessary resources of oxygen and water do not exist requires scientific ingenuity at its finest.
Prior to any space mission, astronauts undergo years of training to prepare for their journey. They are not only given the tools but lessons, and practice, and feedback in order to go and do what a space agency is asking them to do.
Like an astronaut living in space is not normal…being a Christian in today’s culture is not normal.
We, as children of God, are living in a world that is not our natural habitat. We were created to live in existence with God. But because of sin, we’re relegated to living in a broken world.
Upon our declaration of faith, we receive God’s Spirit in order to live in this broken world according to His will and plans. And like the astronauts who receive training, we also need lessons on how to live like God intends for us.
In his letter to the believers of the Thessalonican church, Paul writes to encourage them to live a life pleasing to God. They (and we) are reminded to abstain from what is culturally “normal”; to live a holy lifestyle that honors God.
So what does that look like for us? Scripture tells us plainly:
“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind, and with all of your strength…love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31)
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
If you have a chance this evening, go out and look at the stars. And while you’re gazing at the night sky, give thanks to God for giving you His Spirit in order that you are able to live in such a way that honors Him.
Reflection Questions:
Like a human living in space, what parts of life in this present world is supposed to be foreign or unlivable to a Christian? How instead is a Christian to live?
The Thessalonians were living in a way that was pleasing to God but Paul told them to do it more and more. Should we be content with a little holiness or pleasing God? In what ways are you working at pleasing God and what would it look like to do so more and more?
Since living to please God is not this world’s normal behavior or goal, what instruction and training have you received to be a successful alien here living as God desires? And from whom? What additional and repeated training would be helpful this week? To whom can you offer some on earth alien training to and how would you go about it?
Prayer
Dear God – I thank You for providing all we truly need to live in this broken world as Christians. Thank You for the instruction given in Your perfect Word, Your Son who shows the way, Your Spirit which guides, and our Christian brother and sister aliens. Help me to live in a way that is pleasing to You Father, more and more. We are so looking forward to life with You in Your coming Kingdom. Help me be prepared and help me prepare others for eternal life with You.
Jehoshaphat narrowly escaped being taking out for his mistake in aligning himself with the most evil king in Israel’s history, going to war with him against the LORD’S advice. Upon return home, he’s met with the words of the LORD through Jehu who says,
“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord? 3 But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.” (2 Chr 19:3).
This says a lot. Yes, Jehoshaphat did much good in the eyes of the Lord, but he made a grave mistake. After his return and listening to the words of the LORD, it seems he learns from his mistakes and gets back on track, following the path of righteousness. He appoints judges in all the fortified cities of Judah to consider carefully how they judge, as they are being judge for God, “for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.” (2 Chron 19:7). We find this bit of wisdom in the New Covenant too.
They’re also told to warn their brother if a dispute comes between brother or sister, so that they may not be guilty, and the wrath of God will not come on either of them. This sounds like the wisdom we find in Matthew 18.
Jehoshaphat is prepared for the next battle, as he seeks God and his wisdom about what to do. He declares a fast and humbles himself before God, declaring that he is afraid, powerless, and doesn’t know what to do, but his eyes are on God. He praises God for being above all, almighty and powerful. He remembers what God has done for his fathers and reminds him of his promises to them.
God in turn tells the people not to be afraid, for the battle belongs to him. They get to stand on the sidelines and see the salvation of the LORD put to work on their behalf. So the king worships God with all the people, then instructs his people to put their trust in God to be established and to succeed. He sends the singers out to battle first. When they begin singing, the LORD God goes to work. It’s a miraculous tale. When the battle is won, the people bless the LORD and he gives them peace…
……until Jehoshaphat goes and makes the same mistake again. He aligns himself with the next evil king of Israel and his plans are thwarted. If only Jehoshaphat would have listened to God until the end of his race.
There’s so much going on here that we can apply to our lives. For one, set your heart to seek God and do what he says. Don’t align yourself with evil doers. If you do, repent, humble yourself, cry out to God in your distress. Seek God’s admonishment for your own good. Sing praises to him for all his goodness. Bless him. Watch him work.
Jehoshaphat is on the list of “good kings,” or “mostly good kings.” Oh, that we would be on the list of good people in the eyes of our God until the end of our race. Thank God that we can through our Lord Jesus.
The Thessalonians are on Paul’s “good” list. He writes so passionately to them. He couldn’t bear the thought that they may have been deceived by those who don’t want them to know Christ, or through thinking that they may have lost heart after seeing him suffer for Christ (as they too will have to suffer for Christ).
He can rejoice though after sending Timothy to them, to know that their faith is strong, and their love abounds, despite the battles they’ve faced on behalf of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God for Christ. Now that Paul has heard their good report, he can really live.
Imagine that being our attitude towards brothers and sisters we’ve preached to, or someone you know who’s changed her mind and decided to live for Christ. This is exactly who we are supposed to be in Christ. Having this attitude because you’ve gained souls for Christ will establish your heart blameless before God at the coming of our Lord Jesus the Christ.
QUESTIONS
1. What are ways you can humble yourself before the LORD when facing an impossible battle, like Jehoshaphat?
2. Do you see any other wisdom from God that he reiterates from the Old Testament into the New Testament?
3. Do you “really live” after hearing a good report about your brothers and sisters in Christ you’ve witnessed to? What a beautiful attitude to have.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father – I thank You for Your wisdom, power and love and for revealing Yourself and Your way to us through Your Word. Like Jehoshaphat, help me to seek You, not align with evil, humble myself, know the power of singing praise, and turn my eyes on You, especially when I don’t know what to do. May I learn from my mistakes, and show others the good way that leads to life eternal, made possible by Your precious Son Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen.
Jehoshaphat was a strong leader, who protected his people by placing troops and garrisons in all the fortified cities he ruled. More importantly, Jehoshaphat was a strong leader who sought God the father for his wisdom and guidance, and took pride in serving him. He sent officials and priests to teach from the book of the law of the LORD throughout his cities.
And in return, God established Jehoshaphat’s kingdom and his control over the people Judah. The dread of God was on all the surrounding kingdoms, so that they did not make war with Judah. It sounds like God protected his people by making the other nations fear them.
But then we’re taken on a wild ride with Jehoshaphat as he aligns himself with Ahab, the worst of all the kings of Israel, through a marriage. I don’t think this marriage was ordained by God, as Ahab was not a seeker of God’s wisdom.
Ahab wants Jehoshaphat to go with him to battle, which Jehoshaphat is willing to do after seeking wisdom and approval from the LORD. Ahab gets the approval from several false prophets, but Jehoshaphat seeks a true prophet of God for advice. Ahab is well aware that Michaiah is a true prophet of God, but I can almost see him rolling his eyes as he talks about his hatred for him, as Michaiah is known for his negative prophecy.
I think Michaiah rolls his eyes right back as he tells the king what he wants to hear, I imagine sarcastically at first, as the king understands that that’s not what Michaiah really heard from God. When he tells the true word of the LORD, that if he goes to battle, Ahab will die, Ahab says, “See, didn’t I tell you?” Because of the words he spoke, Ahab threw him in jail and went to battle anyway.
He must have had an inkling that the words of Michaiah were true –why else would he disguise himself to avoid being killed? It didn’t work however. Jehoshaphat went to war too, even after hearing the word of the Lord. But in his distress, he called upon the LORD and was saved.
I don’t know why Jehoshaphat decided to go to battle with Ahab, despite the word of the LORD, and despite already living in peace, as the LORD was fighting his battles for him. If we’re being human, I can speculate that it had something to do with wanting to please his wife and father-in-law. Perhaps there was some arrogance there, thinking he could bring peace.
I don’t know why it reads as if God sent the deceiver to have Ahab killed. But I can speculate that God wanted the evil in Israel to stop, as Ahab did much harm to those he served and led many astray.
What I absolutely do know though is that God heard Jehoshaphat when he called out to him in his distress and saved him.
1 Thessalonians 2
In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, it seems that someone(s) was trying to lead them astray. It reads like a plea from a loving relative to a loved one to resist the influence of those trying to keep them from maintaining their status as Christians, thus hindering their walk on the path of righteousness to the kingdom.
The lengths he goes to in this letter emphasizes how much love went into preaching the gospel to these people at their start, who thereafter accepted it, preached it, and were living it out.
Paul recounts how there were some in Judea who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets who were trying to hinder their preaching of the gospel to the gentiles, the Thessalonians being among them. Those hinderers sound a lot like Jonah when he didn’t want the people of Ninevah to repent and be saved. This is an act of Satan.
Though Paul’s absence from them may have seemed like an abandonment, leaving orphans behind who had recently come into the family of God, Paul reminds them of his acts of love towards them when they first heard the saving gospel from him, like a father teaching his children.
Most apostles don’t stick around too long after establishing a church, as it’s their position in the body of Christ to preach to various places and plant more churches for the Lord. But a good apostle like Paul checks in on his people, and he receives glory and joy from seeing them continuing in the Lord’s work and resisting evil, as he knows there will be opposition.
This is who we should all become post following Jesus—a person who rejoices over others being saved and transforming their lives. And we should be sure to check in on those we’ve witnessed to, because adversity will come. We need to encourage each other to keep going. Let’s be the people whose glory and joy comes by seeing others repent and choose to do God’s will too, until the end of our race to the kingdom.
Psalms 80:19
“19 Lord God of armies, restore us; Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”
QUESTIONS
1. What do you think was going on with God and the sending of a distressing spirit to Ahab? It sounds consistent with some of the work he was doing with the nations surrounding Judah to keep war from them to protect his people.
2. Do you think there are professing Christians today who would go to such lengths to keep someone away from hearing or adhering to the Gospel, like Jonah initially tried to do, or like those Paul advises to be on guard against to the Thessalonians?
3. How can you encourage someone who may be persuaded by a different gospel (which may be subtle changes to the true gospel) like Paul does with the Thessalonians?
Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for Your love and faithfulness and justice. I want to see You and what You see – and boldly share that with the world. Help me discern truth and Your will and follow in Your way, not led astray by plans, people, delusions, different gospels or selfish pride. In the name of Your Son Jesus I pray.
2 Chronicles 15:2 – The Lord God is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will let you find him.
Beautiful.
But if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
Scary.
What does that mean?
I tend to push the narrative of God being our loving father, disciplining us as we need correction and direction, but I don’t often talk about verses like this, wherein it is said of him, “…but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” (2 Chron 15:2), nor “…for God troubled them with every kind of distress” (2 Chron. 15:6). I don’t enjoy thinking of my God like this, but we need to understand why this may be said of him, and be ready with an answer for our hope whenever asked.
It all boils down to becoming a person like Jesus, who doesn’t want harm to come to anyone, I think. But we cannot live in a world wherein lawlessness reigns. If you forsake God, you’re not going to be a person who desires to do God’s will for the good of others. This line of thinking and behaving will result in a nation like that in the time of Noah over time. In the end, who would enter the kingdom wherein there will be no more death, crying, mourning, or pain?
We need God’s teaching and law (New Covenant law). We need to seek God for that (he put it all in Jesus). For now, I don’t think God renders much judgement towards the nations, as he’s waiting for all who will repent, to repent (2 Peter 3:9). But he will, through Jesus in the end. He will not leave the guilty unpunished. Perhaps we can win some over beforehand, such as is our job under Christ.
In Asa’s time, he did well to heed the wisdom of God coming through the priest Azariah and acted accordingly. The result was that many from Israel, the split kingdom, defected to Asa’s kingdom. The people celebrated God and his laws and his goodness with sacrifice. They even entered a covenant with God, to do what the LORD had spoken to seek the LORD with their heart and soul.
Anyone who did not would be put to death (!!!). But for those who sought him earnestly, he let them find him. And they did it with joy because they understood the goodness of God. Then God gave them peace.
Of course, Asa eventually forsook God.
Aren’t you glad that we don’t live in a time like Asa’s, even though he was generally regarded as a “good” king? It is so good to realize how good we’ve got it under our Lord Jesus. For all the “good” kings of Israel/Judah, none can even come close to what we have in Jesus. It is good to honor him for all he’s done for us like Paul does with many of his writings to the churches of Jesus.
His opening statements are almost always letters abounding in love for the brothers and sisters in Christ. I enjoy reading about what an apostle of God did in the early church years through these letters. I think we can all learn a little from them when it comes to interacting with members of the body of Christ today.
To the newly formed church in Thessalonica, Paul writes about his love for them, but also encourages them to keep the faith.
The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul, Salvanus, and Timothy because of their tribulation upon hearing the word of the Lord. But they had joy of the holy spirit despite circumstances. They became an example of faith to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaiai because they preached the good news of Christ.
Their deeds were made known to Paul, how they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God, how they waited upon Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, who rescues us from the wrath to come (the wrath being whatever happens to those in the end who did not want to conform to the image of Christ).
They sound a little like Asa to me. Oh that they, and we, would be the people who desire to keep covenant with God joyously, ongoing, to the end of our race, for the good of others. Oh that God may shine his face upon us because of his beloved son, the son of Man Jesus, who directs us to put our hope in God. Praise God for his eyes that “move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chron. 16:9).
QUESTIONS:
1. Asa was king who had not been brought up to know the LORD God, nor serve him. Yet, he is listed among the “good” kings of Israel (Judah). Why do you think Asa chose to listen to the words of the LORD in the first place? I think it’s because there was much distress in all the lands. Sometimes, it is in the most hopeless times that people decide to turn to God. What do you think?
2. Because Asa eventually relied on another for help instead of turning to God in his distress, his peace ended. He became a foolish man in his last days instead of turning to God. Why do you think Asa chose not to seek God after hearing admonishment from the LORD?
3. Did you know that you too are beloved of God and his choice?
PRAYER
Dear Lord God, You are the One true God and the One that I seek. Help me to seek You and follow Your ways all the days of my life. Forgive me for the times I am distracted from following You whole-heartedly. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the perfect king in submission to You who shows us how to love You and others. Help me to show others the goodness of seeking and following You.
In the Old Testament passages we read today, I pondered a lot. I wondered if Abijah actually sought God’s wisdom about starting the civil war against his brethren or if he took his own initiative. He slighted his father for not being aggressive and starting the battle during his reign. We know through scripture that his father refrained on account of God’s will.
What is evident in the passage is that when Abijah called upon the name of the LORD in times of war, he and his kingdom were saved in miraculous ways during each battle. Because they called out to God in their distress, God acted on their behalf. God acts as they humble themselves before him.
Another thought I pondered was God’s heart when it came to hearing his children brag about him, and how they kept his commandments and served him. This bragging seemed to be a part of Abijah’s decision to begin a civil war because it made the people proud. Though it ended victoriously, it led to the slaughter of thousands of Abijah’s own bloodline.
This is where Jesus and the New Covenant direct my thoughts. We should absolutely strive to keep God’s commandments and serve him through Jesus, and we should be proud if we are able to do that, but we should brag about how we were able to do it with the help of Jesus. We should not brag about our works on account of ourselves, lest it puffs us up and leads us into battle against our brother or sister (whatever “battle” that may be).
Though God led Abijah to victory, I don’t think it was God’s will for him to start a war in the first place. But since he acted, got himself into trouble, then humbled himself, God acted on his behalf. I don’t think it was the boasting that led God to work on his behalf, it was his/his people’s humility in their distress.
If we are going to boast, we should boast in Jesus. Boast that you died and were buried with him, then raised to life, so that you can live like him, loving as he loved, to help another conquer like he conquered. If we let love drive us, maybe there won’t be a need for victories to be won—at least not victories conquering our opponents.
Our victories will be measured by the way we loved our “opponents.” Colossians gives us a few examples of how to love our “opponents” in our everyday lives with the relationships we have.
Most of us will never be a master of slaves. But we do have relationships that need cultivating, like that of an employee to an employer, husband to wife, child to parent, apostle to church goer, etc., that we can respect and behave in with wisdom, working for the good of both parties like Jesus would, with the same endgame; save others. And if we mess up, we have a God we can seek in the name of Jesus, who will look on the humble who cry out to him for help.
How do we cultivate good in these relationships, rather than going to war in them? Colossians 4 gives us some wisdom about this. Devote yourselves to prayer and thanksgiving, especially for those who have the opportunity to meet others, for a door to be opened to share the gospel. We should conduct ourselves with wisdom towards outsiders (by asking for it), so that our speech towards them will be seasoned with salt, so that we’ll gain more wisdom about how to speak life to them.
It is good for those doing the Lord’s work to talk about it with the churches, so that we can be encouraged and join in the fight for lives, and provide for those in the trenches. We must remember their labor, especially when we’re comfortable in our more stationary position in the body of Christ, without much hardship. Remember those imprisoned for Christ’s sake.
QUESTIONS:
1. How many times do you think God answers your distress call after you’ve messed up?
2. Kings who do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD often receive such a title by doing what?
3. What wisdom do you get from reading Colossians 4 that can help you in your “battle” with one of your relationships?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father – I need Your wisdom to walk in Your will. Help me come before You seeking direction to do only what is pleasing to You. Give me a humble spirit and strength to do what You want me to do – in the way You want me to do it. Help me be a wise witness of You and Your son in all of my interactions with outsiders, “opponents”, brothers and sister. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen
In the previous chapters, I concluded that Rehoboam was wrong in dividing the kingdom of Israel in two, because he followed the advice of his young friends over the elders, whom I assume advised him to listen to God’s will in the matter, as they are often more inclined to adhere to the word of God than youth, having gained wisdom in their years. But now we read that God says that the dividing of the kingdom of God was from him, and that Rehoboam should not fight against his relatives to restore the one kingdom.
This is what I think is going on: God allows us to make our own decisions. If we make a bad choice about what’s good for us without his wisdom about it, he decides the next move, not necessarily that he planned everything out the way it goes. And accordingly, we have the chance again to seek his will and choose to follow it or not. He moves as we move, though we should strive to move as he moves. We’ll see more of this happening in today’s readings.
This time, Rehoboam listens to God’s words (his wisdom about what to do). His choice to listen to God yields to the creating of many notable fortified cities and prosperity in gaining his kingdom food, oil, and wine. Perhaps most importantly, the priests and the levities who were in all of Israel came to serve God with Rehoboam – at least for 3 years.
There is so much going on in Rehoboam’s reign that I think relates to this present age. It is after being established and strong that Rehoboam (and likewise most) forsook the law of the LORD again. Think about that. When we’re weak and in need, we tend to call upon the LORD. But when we’re healthy, strong, established, wealthy, etc., we forsake the Lord and his laws by going our own way (seeking our own will/wisdom about what we should do).
Why? The bible talks about this often. When we rely on our own wealth/power/established state, we forget God and all that he’s done for us.
In response, the LORD brings word that since Rehoboam forsook God, he’ll forsake him (and his kingdom which God gave him). This time, their response was good, though their repentance wasn’t without punishment. God sent an army against them. But because they humbled themselves, instead of allowing them to perish, he allows them to become slaves, “so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” (2 Chron. 12:8).
Though it may sound harsh, it is good to realize how good we’ve got it when we are in service to the LORD, rather than in service, or a slave, to another. God’s wisdom about this is also all throughout scripture. We must learn to understand that punishment is good for us, when it is ordained by God. It can humble us.
Now read Psalm 79 and ponder upon the humility displayed from those who are God’s who have been downcast. Now read Colossians chapter 3.
This life in Christ is supposed to be one wherein we live as Christ lived, not how those whom we read about in the past lived. They should have continuously looked to God’s laws and been thankful for them, so that they could do them and live well.
We have more wisdom than they I think, to be able to do God’s will, because we are in Christ. The “how to” though often finds a way to baffle us.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks as if the things we need to do come naturally to those of us in Christ – at least that’s how it has been perceived by me when preached.
I find myself more inclined to think that the things Paul writes about affect me much in the same way they affected Rehoboam and Jeroboam, though in Christ, I received the spirit of Christ, urging me to follow him. Every act I make is a decision to let God be the judge of what’s right and to do accordingly, or to let myself, my flesh, be the judge and act foolishly.
But by remembering Christ, what he did, God’s plan of salvation through him, and who I am in him, I can be prudent to humble myself in good times and in bad and walk as he walked. This takes prayer. It takes the reading of God’s word. It takes much action from me.
My actions may be to make my days routine full of what it says we should be doing in Colossians 3 by reading God’s word, by discussing it with my brothers and sisters in Christ, by allowing myself to be taught and admonished by them and vice versa; to sing with them and gush with thankfulness to God in unity.
I can be a wife subject to my husband as unto the Lord (and he thus to me, both with love for each other). I can raise my children to be obedient but without causing them to lose heart, teaching them the love of Christ and why it is so good to desire that he rules over us, admonishing them when they miss the mark. It is all a part of God’s plan of salvation, which is so good for us.
I can think of the things I decide to do in word or in deed as actions I take for the Lord Jesus, thanking God our father through him. I can decide to work heartily for the Lord, and not merely for men when in my job, as an employee to my boss, doing my best to please my Lord (I liken this to a slave working for her master in Paul’s time). And I can do it all with a mindset that I want all whom I come across to be affected by my behavior, acting in such a manner to win others to Christ because it is so good for them.
QUESTIONS:
1.Do you think that under the New Covenant we’ve entered into that God will forsake us if we forsake him? What does that even mean?
2.Do you think that under the New Covenant we’ve entered into that God allows us to be slaves to sin when we follow the urging of the flesh instead of the urging of the spirit to do what is right so that we may learn the difference between his service in Christ and the service to sin again?
3.Paul gives the Colossians a lot of instruction regarding what they should do in Christ. However, it doesn’t read as if he’s giving them laws to follow under the New Covenant like that of the Old Covenant. To me it sounds like he gives them a lot of great wisdom relating to their lives that they can adhere to or not. What do you think?
PRAYER:
Dear God of wisdom and might – I want to follow You well all of my days. May I abide by your will with a heart of humility, eagerly doing the work You have for me to do. Help me to show the world that You are a good God and that there is great joy in serving Your Son Jesus Christ. In his name I pray, Amen.
Listen to the beautiful words from the Queen of Sheba, regarding the wisdom of Solomon, which God had given him when he asked. Though a gentile, she knew that it was God who gave such wisdom to men, and that those who heard it were cherished by God. For it is God who gives such blessings – to place a ruler on his throne over his people, who will judge rightly:
2 Chronicles 9:7-8
7“How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. 8“Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”
Having someone judge over us rightly for God so that it will be well with us, because his wisdom about what’s right for us is what we can expect and hope for in the Kingdom age, and to an extent now, if we are allegiant to the King now. That is love. I yearn for all of Christianity to get this right – to know that it is so good for us to desire to be ruled – but only by a just king, who gets his wisdom from our just loving father.
For now, we wait hopefully for that day when God gives us such a gift, when our Lord Jesus returns to rule justly from the throne of David. In the meantime, I see myself like all of the other children of God who have been saved (think of “being saved” like the Israelites were from slavery to Egypt, to serve God, or how all of humanity under Christ are saved from slavery to sin, to serve God like Jesus did, yet we must finish the race to enter the kingdom of God at the end of our lives). I’m in a race to the finish line of this life, aiming to do well and to please my father God, because he’s so good, just like the people of God of old were supposed to.
It is surprising to me that the man who had nothing hidden from him in terms of wisdom from God, could not pass on such wisdom just one generation later. Though I should not be surprised, as the Bible foretells an ongoing story of his people succeeding and failing, ultimately failing until Christ.
When crowned King, not only did Solomon’s son Rehoboam fail to make wise choices based on seeking God’s wisdom about how he should rule, he also made a decision based on the will of his young friends that split the kingdom of Israel in two!
The wisdom from God remains the same for us to adhere to or neglect today. Our destruction will be great when we choose our own way without his wisdom about what we should do. That has always and will always be the case. It is a wonder in our day and age too that we don’t get this right, even after Jesus had to die (lest we forget).
This is why I believe Paul is struggling with the Colossians in his letter to them. Paul is well versed in the Old Testament. He knows how easy it is to forget what God has done for his people and go astray, especially when there are others out there trying to persuade Christians to make subtle changes in their thinking because of wisdom from men, which results in following a different gospel.
Paul sees an urgency for the Colossians to continue in their faith. Yes, they were God’s children. Yes, they loved greatly, yes, it sounds like they were even praised for their faith. And yet, Paul is still distressed, as someone could still teach them a gospel that was contrary to the true gospel, which could cause great demise for anyone carried away by it.
Paul does with Jesus regarding the New Covenant what God taught the Israelites to do with him regarding the Old Covenant. He beautifully lays out how important Jesus is for those who have entered the New Covenant with God through him. He gives them wisdom from God to follow and reminds them who they are in Christ.
All the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus. To obtain it, you must walk this life as he walked it. Even though you’ve received Christ Jesus as Lord, having been firmly rooted, you must continually be built up in Christ to establish your faith (your trust in God), with gratitude, because you know the cost (and the reward). If you can do this, then no one will be able to take you captive with another gospel (through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, the world, rather than according to Christ) as it seems someone(s) was trying to do to the Colossians.
Let Christ take you captive, because the fullness of the godhead bodily dwells in Jesus, meaning, all that there is to know about God, including his ways, can be found in Jesus. Jesus was made God’s wisdom for us, so that we would know God’s will and keep his commandments. In Jesus you were circumcised (you belong to Christ/identify in him, if you’ve entered the New Covenant of God through him), you were buried with him in baptism (you died to your old self and following your own will), and raised with him, to live a life of one who’s been forgiven (made alive through the working of God to raise Jesus from the dead, so that you will live like Jesus now and stop sinning). Jesus is now our ruler and authority, if we make ongoing plans to give him our allegiance daily.
If someone is teaching you to do something contrary to Christ, look at what Jesus did to see how he handled those trying to teach God’s people a different gospel (like the Pharisees). If we can do that, we’ll be able to stand against someone trying to be our judge regarding the keeping of festivals, new moons, the Sabbath, or in regards to what we can eat or drink, or whatever it is that’s trying to get into our way of thinking that’s contrary to Christ.
These things are a shadow of what’s to come in the Kingdom, but Christ is the substance. I take this to mean that they can be good things to keep to help you remember God’s plan of salvation through Christ, but Christ is the Lord of them all. The Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. And Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. So if you want to keep the Sabbath, talk to your Lord about it, but don’t get carried away by those telling you you must keep it, or even worse, being someone else’s judge telling them they must keep it if they are Christ’s. These types of teachings, though they can be subtle changes to the true gospel, can lead you astray, so be on guard.
If you’re ever struggling about what to do, seek God’s wisdom in Christ. Follow the urging of the spirit about what you should do. Pray often about it. Remember who your Lord is and what he did for you often. Make ongoing plans so that you will not forget. For it is in him that we are all held together. Emphasis remembering that latter part too – we’re held together in the body—we’re supposed to work as a team, (team body!!), with Christ our head who leads us together.
God, please help us to grow together with the growth that comes from you. Let us be diligent to do as the wisdom from Psalm 78 advises today in our walk, but in regards to our God through our Lord Jesus:
Tell your children and your children’s children of the praises of Yahweh and his strength and his wonderous works. Tell them to put their confidence in God, and not forget his works, especially those now fulfilled in Jesus, and keep his commandments. Don’t be like those who did not prepare their hearts, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why do you think Rehoboam didn’t seek God’s wisdom like his father Solomon did, who was the wisest in the world (he had to have known about his father’s wisdom, right?!?)?
2. What other gospel(s) do you think Paul was warning the Colossians against? Following the Law of Moses? Following the laws created by the Pharisees as they interpreted the Law of Moses? Gentile laws? All or some of the above?
3. What do you think Paul means when he says this in Colossians 1:16-17, “…no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”?
PRAYER
Dear God, I pray that today and always I will seek You and Your wisdom. Help me to receive and act upon Your wisdom and pass along a deep desire for Your wisdom to the next generation. Thank You for Jesus and Your wisdom he has brought and will bring as ruler. Help me to recognize and turn my back on any different gospel. May I be guided by Your Spirit, to be a fruitful member of the true body of Christ which brings glory to You.
Seek Grow Love 