Grace in Trials

Read 1 Thessalonians 3.

Prayer

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (KJV 1900)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.

We recognize the reality in these words. We become accustomed to the ebb and flow of life. There are fun days and difficult days. Easy days and hard days. Days of victory and days of defeat. And if we’re not careful, we can start to view the spiritual battle between God and Satan the same way.

Let’s review. We have been studying this first epistle to the Thessalonians over 6 weeks now. As we’ve seen, this epistle is different from many of Paul’s other epistles, because he doesn’t spend much time correcting his readers in different ways. In fact, most of this epistle is spent in writing encouraging and affectionate words! He begins by rehearsing some of the circumstances they experienced together when Paul, Silas and Timothy first came to Thessalonica. We saw how they all shared a wonderful bond of love and fellowship with each other, and how it was forged and strengthened by their common priorities and time spent serving God together.

We also took time to see evidence of God’s hand at work through Paul and his companions, reaching these lost Thessalonians for Christ, and then establishing them in the faith. We saw how all of that resulted in God’s overarching purpose for His church—to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ.

In the last couple of weeks, we have looked at things that the devil tried to accomplish in these believers’ lives. We saw his outward attacks on them, and we saw his strategies for attacking the saints inwardly as well. I don’t know about you, but I find it a bit chilling to dwell on Satan and his attacks for too long. He is the Wicked One, and in him is no light whatsoever! It’s important for us to know our enemy, but we shouldn’t obsess over him.

But in our daily lives, as we experience temporal difficulties and spiritual afflictions, we can begin to see things in a “right or wrong,” “dark or light” kind of way. We can start to see events as God doing good things, or as Satan doing bad things. We can start to believe that God is working, or that Satan is working. The saints, as soldiers of the Cross, are at times winning in this battle, and at times are losing in this battle. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” right?

But this is not true. As we saw last week, the only way Christians may lose is if they surrender to the Wicked One. And so in that way, we may have victory or we may have defeat on any given day. But from God’s vantage point, and from the perspective of the spiritual battle that is raging all around us between God and the devil, there is no “ebb and flow.” There is no time of Satan getting the upper hand. There is no time of Satan working, and then a time of God working. Instead, God is always working, God is always doing good. Satan is always fighting as well, but he is a defeated foe. He never has the upper hand against God. He has already lost. It is only a matter of time.

But when you and I are in the middle of our trials, it DOES seem like the devil is having his way, doesn’t it? It does seem sometimes like God has retreated and given up some of the battlefield for a time. And this is when it is easiest to give up. This is when we feel like victory is impossible, or that it isn’t worth the struggle. But, dear Christian, it is precisely in those times when we need to remember that there isn’t a season of God working, and a season when He isn’t working! God is always working; He is always doing good. He doesn’t take any days off; He doesn’t stop helping us in order to focus on someone else in need. He is always accomplishing His work, always bringing about good in our lives. The real question is, will we let Him? If God’s people will walk with God daily, and remain faithful to their Father and Saviour, then instead of the devil getting the upper hand, the saints will see Satan’s efforts bring ever-greater victory. When God is in control, Satan’s attacks only help us! That is what I want us to see in 1 Thessalonians 3 this evening.

Paul said this in 2 Cor. 12:7-10:

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

This is the truth of our text in 1 Thessalonians. Paul received an affliction, “the messenger of Satan.” It was a severe trial, and something that Satan intended for Paul’s defeat? What happened instead?

Paul received God’s sufficient grace — that’s a victory!

Paul became “most glad” — that’s a victory!

Paul began to glory in his thorn in the flesh — that’s a victory!

“Did you hear about my thorn in the flesh? It’s such a blessing! Let me tell you about it...”

Paul received Christ’s power in greater measure in his life — that’s a victory!

Paul took pleasure in infirmities, because it meant he could exchange his weakness for Christ’s strength — that’s a victory!

That is five distinct advantages that Paul gained because Satan tried to buffet him. I wonder if the devil began to regret afflicting Paul in this way? It sure didn’t work out to the devil’s advantage!

So it may be with us, and so it was with the people we find in 1 Thessalonians 3. Let’s see some ways that the saints in his passage enjoyed God’s “Grace in Trials.”

I. Comfort In Affliction and Distress

1 Thess. 3:1-8

Forbear: to allow; to wait.

Paul is essentially saying, “I couldn’t stand it any more! I needed to find out how you were faring; I had to learn if you were remaining faithful to God.”

A. The timing of comfort

We can think of “comfort” as being something that we need in sorrow; we need a shoulder to cry on, and we need to hear understanding and gentle words. We need comfort. But this “comfort” here means something different.

Comfort: exhortation; beseeching; encouragement; a challenge (to be faithful).

Paul, in the middle of his afflictions and distress, was exhorted and encouraged and challenged to keep on, when he heard of the faith of the Thessalonian believers! This comfort isn’t just “drying someone’s tears,” this is a rallying cry that stirs up soldiers that were ready to throw down their weapons and run from the enemy!

Paul received comfort, but it wasn’t because his affliction and distress were taken away. The devil was still fighting, but God comforted Paul anyway. Oh, the matchless wisdom and sovereignty of God!

God isn’t unable to bless and comfort us when things are easy, and when our trials ease. Usually, He blesses us most while the trial rages on. And instead of diminishing God’s comfort, this serves to diminish Satan’s threat, and increase God’s glory.

The child of God needn’t look only for comfort AFTER affliction and distress. As Paul found, God gives comfort IN the affliction and distress.

B. The cause for comfort

1 Thessalonians 3:6–8 KJV 1900

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

How this letter would have blessed the believers in Thessalonica! They had been weary in their own trials, but had remained faithful to the Lord. Now they were learning that their faithfulness had exhorted and encouraged Paul to remain faithful in his trials and afflictions! No doubt, Paul’s letter encouraged THEM! God is ALWAYS at work, and always has something good that He is accomplishing. Don’t give up, Christian! Don’t believe that Satan is prevailing.

II. Joy In Need

1 Thessalonians 3:8–10 KJV 1900

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

A. Joy

The last verse and chorus of the hymn, “Joy Unspeakable,” goes like this:

I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll; It is like a great o’erflowing well, Springing up within my soul.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory; It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.

This is what Paul meant. “The joy wherewith we joy for your sakes...” It was overflowing! It was indescribable! Have you ever had joy like this? “Yes, one time; when I didn’t have any problems...” Friend, this joy is not dependent on circumstances! It is from the Lord.

God challenged me with this verse this morning:

John 15:11 KJV 1900

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

“Your joy might be full.” Is your joy full tonight? I didn’t ask about your trials. I asked about your joy. Paul was overflowing with joy, and taking time to thank God for it, and he hadn’t gotten a break from affliction, and neither had the Thessalonians! May we believe by faith that our joy MAY be full at all times, and may we abide in Christ so that it will be. Stay faithful, Christian. Your steadfastness might be a great cause of joy to others who are in trials.

B. Spiritual need

1 Thessalonians 3:9–10 KJV 1900

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Paul knew these people. He knew that they had spiritual needs and deficiencies. He was praying for them, and for God to perfect them, so that they would not fall by the wayside, but so that they would abound in fruitfulness. These Thessalonians had spiritual needs; they had areas that needed growth. But even though they had growing to do, their lives were reason for great joy in Paul’s heart. And if Paul could get great joy from these Thessalonian’s imperfect but faithful lives, can’t we be joyful when the saints (including ourselves), are faithful to God?

It’s easy to see imperfections in others. If we’re honest, it’s easy to see them in ourselves as well, and even though we’re biased, we can still be hard on ourselves. We can expect perfection out of us or others, and justify it because we “need to do more.” And with this attitude, we lose our joy. We fail to praise God for what He has done, because we’re too focused on what He hasn’t done. Does that sound like discontentment to you? There’s no joy in discontentment.

God’s great gift of joy comes even when there is spiritual need. We can joy in what God has done; that’s different from claiming that there’s nothing left for Him to accomplish.

“I don’t want to stay where I am, but I’m SO THANKFUL I’m not where I used to be!!” May we have a great overflowing well of joy in our souls! God’s work is still being done in our lives, and His work is best.

III. Growth In Afflictions

1 Thessalonians 3:11–12 KJV 1900

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

I don’t see Paul praying for an end to the trials in Thessalonica, do you? Sometimes we can think that our growth and appreciation of it will come when the trial is over, but God isn’t hampered by such things. Afflictions don’t mean “Satan is winning,” because God gives growth THROUGH them. He turns Satan’s intended evil into our realized good. Joseph understood this truth, as we see in his words to his brothers in Genesis 50:20:

Genesis 50:20 KJV 1900

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

As we read a moment ago, Paul writes this in 1 Thess. 3:12:

1 Thess. 3:12 — “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men...”

How was this possible? I suggest that this increasing and abounding was only possible because of the afflictions, not in spite of them! The saints had learned that man’s praise and affirmation isn’t possible to keep, and certainly not if one cares to have God’s praise or affirmation. They chose to please God, and they accepted that their choice would include persecution. As a result, they didn’t need to fear the persecution that could come from any quarter; they just needed to lean on God for help through it. When we make this choice, we are liberated to love God first, and to love others as ourselves. “Perfect love casteth out fear!” (1 John 4:18)

Don’t wait for trials to end before you grow, Christian. Instead, expect God to bring about your growth through your afflictions. You may increase and abound, even while you are going through trials! That’s what God desires for you.

IV. Sanctification In Temptation

Paul had one last desire that he mentions in this passage: he desired the sanctification of these faithful believers.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV 1900

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Do you desire to be sanctified and in the image of Christ the Lord, and ready to meet Him when He comes? I pray you do! It is God’s desire for us.

Philippians 1:6 KJV 1900

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 KJV 1900

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 KJV 1900

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Again, it may have been easy for these Thessalonians to think, “It sure would be a lot easier to be sanctified if we weren’t always looking over our shoulder, wondering when someone would try to kill us!” These saints were experiencing great trials and testings…temptations. In the midst of the temptation to give up the fight and give up on God, Paul reminds them that he is praying for their sanctification. If they remained humble and surrendered to Christ, these believers would see God sanctify them during these afflictions, and with this persecution. God doesn’t need to wait until the “storm” of Satan’s attacks are over before He can work. Instead, God uses the storm to accomplish His work!

Romans 8:26–31 KJV 1900

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

In the last two weeks, we have examined the devil’s strategies and tactics. However, we don’t need to be afraid of them; we just need to be aware of them, and not confuse them with the hand of God.

Far from being formidable or threatening to God’s purposes, Satan’s attacks against the saints, provided we don’t surrender, merely become tools in God’s hand for good, not evil! Satan’s efforts only set his army back even further.

Be encouraged, Christian. Satan doesn’t prevail against God. Satan is already a defeated enemy. If you’re saved, you have “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” and Satan cannot defeat you, so he tries to get you to surrender. He attacks, but his efforts turn into your blessings when God is finished with them.

When we look to the Lord, we may have comfort in the middle of our affliction and distress. We may have joy in the middle of our need. We may have growth in the midst of our afflictions, and we may have sanctification in the presence of temptation.

Rejoice, child of God! Let your joy be full! God makes all things in our lives work for our eternal good. And if God be for us, who can be against us?