1 Thessalonians – Week 3 – Day 5

READ 

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 

17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. 18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy. 

Paul wrote about how precious the Thessalonian believers were to him, Silas and Timothy. Paul had wanted to return to see them but Satan had prevented it. Notice what Paul considered would be his and his companions’ crown when Jesus returned: the believers they had reached. Paul praised them by saying they were “our pride and joy.” 

REFLECT 

Think of the believers whose lives you have touched. They will be your pride and joy when you stand before the Lord when He returns. 

RESPOND 

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 about the rewards believers will receive from building into the lives of other believes. Paul had laid the foundation by leading others to Jesus, but notice the rewards for those who build on that foundation. Also notice it is not the quantity of work but the quality of it.