Not long ago, I made a surprise visit to a campsite where both of my sisters and their children were camping. They didn't know I was coming, so they were surprised, as were my nieces and nephews.
The campsite was part of a more elaborate campground that was part rustic, and part amusement. The place featured things like mini-golf, large swimming pools, bumper boats, and paddle boats. I didn't go swimming, but I tried everything else.
Of the options, I think the paddle boats were my favorite. It was certainly a good workout to take that boat around the pond, but I was also impressed with how easily I was able to steer it. The steering seemed to work better than I remembered something like that working. Because I was able to direct the boat without too much complication, the experience of floating around the water was particularly enjoyable.
Direction is important in life. It's also important to let yourself be directed. In fact, the Lord makes it clear in His word that He desires to direct the course of our lives, the steps that we take, and the affections of our hearts.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Paul demonstrates the ways in which the Lord directs our lives once we yield ourselves over to Him by faith. Take a look at some of the examples we're given in this passage.
I. The Lord will direct you to advance the spread of the Gospel
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, ”
Doing hard things can be valuable and enjoyable, but if you want to do something sustainable, you need others to support you. Paul was certainly someone who was willing to do very difficult things, but he was also grateful for the support of the churches that got behind him and helped him with his efforts.
Paul was motivated to spread the good news of Jesus Christ wherever he found an open door to do so. He followed the Lord's direction to share the gospel in Thessalonica, and he was looking to continue sharing the gospel in new areas. But for his efforts to be truly successful, he knew he needed the prayer support of his brothers and sisters in Christ.
So as Paul began winding down this brief letter to the church, he asked them to pray for him in a very specific way. He asked them to pray that the gospel would keep advancing and would keep touching hearts as it was proclaimed city to city.
If our hearts are in line with the Lord's desires for us, I believe we'll clearly experience a divine nudge from Him to participate in advancing the spread of the gospel as well. This is a joyful activity that He wants all believers, not just apostles, to engage in. It is our privilege and joy to testify to this world that Jesus has saved us, and that He desires to save them as well.
II. The Lord will protect you from evil
“and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. ”
When I was a child, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' home. I loved it there. In their kitchen, they had a bar style table with storage cabinets underneath. One evening, my grandfather leaned under the table to get something out of the cabinet and accidentally hit his head on the edge of the table when standing back up. It was obviously painful, so the next time I saw him get something from the cabinet, I put my hand between his head and the table so he wouldn't accidentally hit it a second time. I remember him thanking me, but also being surprised that his grandson would risk hurting a hand in order to protect him from injury.
But that's what you do for someone you love. And if an immature child can love their grandfather enough to try to protect him, how much more do you suppose our perfect God is willing to lovingly protect His own children?
Paul was aware that Christians in this world who are choosing to be actively directed by the Lord, are going to experience some obstacles and opposition. Much of that opposition will come at the hands of people who are bent on doing evil because their lives are being directed by Satan (often without them realizing it).
Having experienced many instances of opposition and harm in the past, Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for his protection from evil. And even as he asked them to pray about this, he did so with confidence that the Lord would guard and protect him.
The Lord is doing the same for us as well. Have you ever considered some of the ways the Lord may be protecting you from evil? Obviously He's doing so in spiritual ways that we may not directly perceive, but He also protects us by speaking to our conscience through His Spirit and His word. He protects us by telling us where to go and where not to go, who to spend our time with and who to avoid, and who to allow to influence us along the way.
Don't dismiss the benefits of the Lord's protective hand upon your life. Recognizing the fact that He actively and lovingly protects His children from evil can grant us a considerable amount of confidence as we walk through the various seasons and tests that occur in our lives.
III. The Lord will direct you to apply His word to your life
“And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ”
When looking at one of my online accounts, I recently realized that I had a credit that was good for some money off a digital book of my choosing. I wasn't sure what I should use it on, so I asked my friends if they could offer me some suggestions. I also stressed that I wasn't interested in any fiction recommendations. I was primarily looking for something to read that taught me how to do something practical. (That tends to be my general reading preference).
I received some good suggestions that I found helpful, but when it comes down to it, I'll never find a book more interesting, practical, and helpful as the Bible itself. Throughout His word, the Lord has communicated the very things I need to know for life and godliness. His word gives me wisdom on how to live, serve, raise a family, and honor Him.
It wouldn't surprise you to know that I read His world regularly, but there's a danger that we as Christians should be aware of when we're reading Scripture. The danger is that we might read it more out of a sense of duty than delight. That we might skim over it, but never actually apply it.
When Paul instructed the Thessalonians, he gave them godly counsel that the Holy Spirit inspired. That counsel is also reflected in Paul's letters to this church. As Paul instructed them, he didn't just want them to mentally assent to his teaching. He wanted them to apply it to their lives. He wanted them to live out the instruction that the Holy Spirit inspired Him to communicate.
In our case, it doesn't hurt for us to be reminded to do the same thing when we look at Paul's words in this passage. As people of the word, living lives directed by Christ, we're called to apply the teaching of Scripture to our lives. The Lord hasn't called us to debate or argue with Him about what He's communicated. He's called us to trust Him enough to say "Yes," when He blesses us with His divine counsel, encouragement, and instruction.
Which are you better at? Debating the Lord, or saying "Yes" when He speaks?
IV. The Lord will guide you toward His love and steadfastness
“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
There are many things in this world that compete for our affections. No matter where we go or what activity we're involved it, something is always trying to get our attention. When we're online, we get ads. When we're driving, we see billboards. If we have young children, they're always screaming our names or tugging on our pant legs looking for attention.
But there's no greater affection our hearts can experience than to have our hearts divinely guided toward a mature understanding of God's love and an appreciation for the steadfast, patient endurance of Christ.
As the Thessalonians grew in their faith, Paul expected to see more and more of this in them. As we grow in our faith, the Lord wants to see more and more of this in us.
If our lives are truly submitted over to the Lord, He will direct our eyes to seek His face. He will direct our hearts to appreciate the depth of His love. He will direct our steps to walk in sync with Him as He leads us throughout the course of our lives. We can entrust ourselves to His care. He is worthy of our submission and affection.
© John Stange, 2020
