1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. (5) For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain."
In
the first three verses of this chapter, Paul stated his reason for sending
Timothy to the Thessalonians. They had heard of the afflictions of Paul
and Silas. Paul was not concerned about himself; rather, he was concerned
that his afflictions might affect the saints at Thessalonica. He said in
verses 2 and 3, Timothy was sent "to establish you, and to comfort you
concerning your faith: that no man should be moved by these
afflictions." He did not want them to become fearful or hesitant
concerning their daily walk with the Lord.
In verse 3, Paul states that he was "appointed" unto "these afflictions". How could he know that this was a divine appointment for his life? After the Lord appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, he then spoke to Annanias to go lay hands on him saying, "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles." Then Jesus went on to say, "I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." (You will find this in Acts chapter 9).
Saul was told that suffering awaited him as he would proclaim the name of Jesus
the Christ to the Gentiles. The glorious vision of Christ as He appeared
to Paul on that road was enough reason for him to remain diligent in fulfilling
the service to which he had been appointed. He now was seeking to comfort those
who the Lord had converted under the sound of Paul's preaching. If you
remember after John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus said to His disciples:
"Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while."
(Mark 6:31) It seems Jesus was concerned about His disciples and did not
want them to become discouraged because of John being beheaded.
Human nature is such that we tend to wonder as we see others suffering because
of their faith, or any other reason, if we will be next. Will that happen
to me? Could that happen to me? What can I do to prevent it? Fear
begins to cast a shadow over us. Sometimes even doubt and confusion can result
in our seeing others endure suffering. Paul did not want his suffering to be an
influence or a source of discouragement to others. He sent Timothy to
comfort them and to let them know Paul was okay and determined in his service
unto the Lord.
It seems that this pandemic has served to strike fear and doubt into the hearts
and minds of many. If I may take an aside for a moment... In creation, there
was only one part of creation that God said was not good. "It is not good
for man to be alone." When we spend too much time alone, we allow
our emotions and imaginations to take control. I believe Satan
understands that truth and will do anything to try to separate us from fellowship
with God and with one another. The pandemic has accomplished that in the
past two years. Many wonderful saints of God have discontinued public worship
of the Almighty. Whatever the source of this pandemic, I will say,
"Satan has hindered" the growth and Spiritual nourishment of many
people. Why did God tell us to "forsake not the assembling of
ourselves together"? I believe it was for the very same reason that
when He looked at Adam and said, "It is not good for man to be
alone." We need one another. That is the truth.