September 21, 2010
2 Thessalonians 1
Pastor Jason Yon
“Times are tough.” We’ve probably all heard someone say it. The current state of our economy has a lot of people facing very tough decisions and situations for their families.
Paul wrote about tough situations in 2 Thessalonians, but it had more to do with persecution and trials related to the believers’ faith in the Lord. Christians in Thessalonica were being persecuted for their faith, so Paul encouraged them that God would reward them, while the persecutors would be brought to justice.
Persecution is happening all over the world. Some Christians in foreign countries are even being killed for their belief in God and practice of Christianity. In our own country, a lot of students in schools are being ridiculed and even beaten up for their belief in God. When I was in high school 15-18 years ago, I experienced persecution. It wasn’t fun. Those times were tough, and 2 Thessalonians 1 is one of the portions of scripture that I leaned on.
Maybe you are facing persecution at work, school or some other area of your life. If you are, take courage in this passage of scripture, for “…you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled.” (2 Thessalonians 1:5-7)
Did you know that Pastor Jason has an alternate personality known as "Professor Googenheimer"?
