Sunday, August 9, 2009

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - Setbacks and His will

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 1:1
1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
NASU


Thoughts:

This letter came from Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus to the church at Thessalonica.  Paul and Timothy are easily recalled, but Silvanus seems unfamiliar.  Silvanus is the full form of the name Silas, another person we discover more about in the book of Acts.

Silas came to be a part of Paul's ministry team because of a temporary rift between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40).  As a result of the disagreement, the text tells us that Paul chose Silas as his companion for a second missionary journey.

Acts 15:40
40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 
NASU

Isn't it wonderful to see how God brings lemonade from the lemons of life?  How even the ugly parts of our lives, He can work through to accomplish His will and bless others.  In this case, Silas got this incredible opportunity for ministry!

Are things in your life today not quite as you would like?  Maybe a relationship has taken a timeout like Paul and Barnabas?  Maybe you've experienced some other setback you didn't foresee?  Be encouraged.  God is not oblivious, and may well be doing a greater work through this adversity than you could even imagine. 


Prayer:

Lord, help me to remember that my problems and disappointments, may be the very things that You are wanting to use to accomplish Your will in my life and the lives of others.  Give me an attitude of expectancy, rather than despair.  Of faith, rather than doubt.  Replace any confusion on my part, with a grander view of Your will in my life.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.