1 Thessalonians 2

Paul speaks throughout this chapter about the persecution they are receiving for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I love how he responds to it, summed up in verses 4 and 6. (4) “…we are not trying to please men but God…” (6) “We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.”

Paul steps forward unashamed to spread the Good News of Jesus to everyone he could, gentiles included. Even when he is persecuted for it, he doesn’t relent. Instead he pushes forward and continually prays for all of the believers of Jesus. He cares not for the opinions or praise from people, but only tried to please God! Therefore, he could rejoice in all circumstances, for he knew he was serving God, so all else didn’t matter. Wow, what an example.

Many times in our lives, we get bogged down in situations that seem out of control. We are burdened by live events and troubles, with no apparent relief in sight. Yet, I am willing to say, none of us receive the troubles that Paul did. Yet he still gladly praised and served the Lord, because he knew that this world is just a pit stop, not a final resting place. He knew that there is hope beyond all measure. He knew that by serving and pleasing God, nothing else mattered, not even what other people were saying and doing to harm him. He knew that God is bigger than all of our problems and situations; that Jesus is the only hope for a lost and dying world and Paul wasn’t willing to let other people’s opinions or his situations change his responsibility to share the word of Jesus Christ. Dear Lord help me to be like Paul and only try to please You.