Thursday 04 December 2014

Psalm: Psalm 71:1-14

Background

Although there have been suggestions by some scholars that 2Thessalonians was not written by Paul, I am going along with thosewho argue for Pauline authorship. Even shorter than the firstletter, the second seems to have been written shortly after it. Itbegins in a similar way, by thanking God for the growing faith andunity of the Thessalonians in the face of persecution. It may bethat they have written to Paul, depreciating his praise for them inthe previous letter. It can be hard to receive praise, or to acceptthat you are worthy of it. The Thessalonians are in need ofreassurance and Paul offers it by saying that he boasts about themto other churches (verse 4). He picks out three things which areworthy of thanksgiving - their faith, which is growing, theirincreasing love, and their steadfastness. To hear such things fromtheir beloved mentor would surely raise their flagging spirits.

After returning to the theme which seems to most concern theThessalonians, the second coming of Christ and their worthiness tobe part of the kingdom of God (2Thessalonians 1:5-10), Paul assures them of his prayers thatGod will work within them, so that the name of Jesus may beglorified in them, and that they might be glorified in him.

This is another boost to the confidence of the Thessaloniansbecause earlier (2 Thessalonians 1:10) Paul has said that whenhe comes again, Christ will be glorified in his saints. In hisearlier letter (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24), he has prayed thatGod will sanctify them. The implication here is that if Christ isglorified in them, that process of sanctification (ie being madepure and holy) is complete. Despite their lack of confidence andall their anxieties about themselves, they will share in the gloryof the kingdom.

To Ponder

• Do you find it hard to receive praise from others? Why is that,do you think?

• Is there anyone who you need to thank? Do it today.