READ: 2 Thessalonians
3
Paul requests the prayers of the Thessalonian believers. This is a
beautifully humble act. We often think of Paul as a strong, harsh, bull-headed,
stubborn, passionate man who can dive into situations without fear and who
never fails – yet Paul is asking for prayer. He specifically asks that the Holy
Spirit would go ahead of them and prepare the way so that more people would
come to follow Jesus. He makes a little comment in verse 2. He says, “For not
all have faith.” On one hand we might think, of course not! Yet, we know that
many times wherever Paul preached many would turn to faith in Christ. Paul shows his heart here, and lets us know
that sometimes he preaches and people still say no to Jesus. So he asks for
prayer; not so he could be undefeated in his evangelism, but so more would live
in freedom.
Starting in verse 6 Paul starts talking about laziness or being a
busy body. It might seem out of place, but it makes complete sense! The
Thessalonians were suffering persecution and believed Jesus was coming back any
day. Why work if Jesus is coming back? The perspective seemed to be they would
not bother storing up treasure on earth because Jesus was coming back. On one
hand this is great news. The people truly believed. On the other hand, it gave
a bad name to Christians. Because they weren’t working or taking care of their
responsibilities, non-Christians were getting angry and offended at the gospel.
Paul makes it very clear: if you do not work, you do not eat. So
unless Jesus is coming back before dinner, get to work! He does not go easy on
those who are living off others. Whether we’re busy doing ‘good work’ or
waiting for Jesus to come back, the bottom line is we need to work. He doesn’t
just say ‘go to work’, either. He means we must actually work! Shoving paper
around to look busy, visiting internet sites on company time, talking instead
of working, or anything else we do at work that isn’t actually work is exactly
what Paul is talking about and he says… stop it! Don’t be a busy body - be busy.
Make yourself useful. Do the work you’ve been assigned. Earn your own keep.
Journaling and Prayer
1. Do you ever
ask for prayer? Ask the Lord to speak to you about your willingness to humble
yourself to ask for prayer, whether He’s proud of you or maybe there is some
improvement needed. Ask the Lord to stretch you in this area of humbly asking
for prayer. Ask Him to give you one prayer request you are to ask of your cell
leader, pastor, or other spiritual leader. Be sure to follow through!
2. Ask the Holy
Spirit if there is anything you are putting off that should be done today. Are
there chores you have been avoiding or procrastinating on? Have you been asked
to do something but you have conveniently forgotten or left it so long it’s not
likely needed anymore? If He shows you something, confess it and ask Him for a
heart that is willing to do today what can be done.
3. Ask the Holy
Spirit to reveal anything in your heart or life where you are lazy. Ask Him to
reveal any ways you are cheating on your work by being busy but not working. If
you work from home, ask Him to speak to you about things you need to get done
in a day to run your home and family. Are there things you avoid? If you work
for someone else, ask Him to speak to you about whether or not you steal from
your boss by not working during company hours. Confess anything that is sin.
Thank God for His forgiveness. Make a commitment to glorify God with your work
ethic.
