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Day 148 1 Thessalonians 3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. 6 Now that Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. People make plans to go places and do things, yet sometimes they remain unfulfilled. When they do, people do the next best thing. Only they know what the next best thing is. For Paul, the next best thing was to send Timothy to the church at Thessalonica to report on their faith. When he returned to Paul and told him about their faith, Paul rejoiced in their faith and prayed for them to increase their faith and love to everyone. What plans remained unfulfilled in your Christian life? What did you do to remedy your desire? Did you write letters as Paul did? Did you encourage those who went where you couldn’t? In everything you do, first seek God for His will. Your plans might be wonderful and your intentions above reproach, but what does God want for you? When Paul couldn’t go to Thessalonica, he sent Timothy to bring him a report about their faith and love for each other. What did you do when God hindered your purpose? Remember, your purpose isn’t always God’s purpose. Or the means of God’s purpose isn’t what you intend. You might want to go in person, see, touch, and rejoice personally in what God directs in your life. Yet, the method of God’s purpose isn’t personal interaction, it’s through other means. For Paul, it was to send Timothy. For you, it might be letters of encouragement. Whatever your desire, seek God’s will and He will direct the method that will bring the best outcome for His glory, and you will find joy in fulfilling God’s purpose in your life. Let’s pray: Father, show me Your purpose in my life. Let me know that though my thoughts and desires are good, Your method of fulfillment is the best one for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 11 December 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.