Trusting God To Produce Results

In Thessalonica, the Jews had stirred up so much animosity against them that Paul and Silas were forced to leave to take the pressure off those who had turned to Christ.  They had gone to the nearby city of Berea to teach, but upon hearing of their presence the Jews came to Berea as well.  Since he was the main target of their anger, Paul sailed to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind to continue the work there, as Acts 17 describes. 

“But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.  Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.” (I Thessalonians 2:17-20)

Although he had been forced to leave, Paul had wanted to return, but the attacks in Berea had prevented doing so.  Nevertheless, he was concerned about them, rejoicing that they continued in their faith, but concerned they might get discouraged.  It was their faith that encouraged Paul and the others to keep trying, convinced they were not wasting their time.  . 

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.  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.  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. ” (I Thessalonians 3:1-5)

While in Athens, Paul realized he could not go back to Thessalonica.  Fearing They might be discouraged by the fact he had not returned and hearing of the attacks on him they might well give up hope, so he got a message to Timothy to go back and encourage them before meeting up with in Corinth.  It would have been really disheartening for him to have gone through so much, only to have them turn away from Christ.   

“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.  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?” (I Thessalonians 3:6-10)

When Timothy arrived in Corinth and shared what the Thessalonians were doing, Paul was greatly relieved to know they were still following what he had taught and hoping one day he could return.  It made what he had faced worthwhile, and he thanked God for their faithfulness.   

Paul hoped through God’s power to one day be able to return and visit Thessalonica personally, but in the meantime he could count on God to help them to grow in faith and love as I Thessalonians 3:11-13 tells us.  “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: 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.”

Like Paul, we need to realize it is God who makes people grow, not our efforts.  Like a gardener, we can provide the things that are necessary, such as water and soil, and pull the weeds, but the end result is what God causes, not what we did.   We have to learn to trust God with the results.