But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Just in case you were wondering, the word BUT at the beginning of this verse was pointing to the statement just before this.
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.
2 Thessalonians 3:2
Let’s focus for a moment on that little statement, “for not everyone has faith.” I know it is not necessarily politically correct to say this, but human beings are not good by nature. We walk among a “wicked and evil people.” That may seem harsh, but it is true.
Human beings choose rebellion against God, every time. That is our nature. That is why the bible describes us as “dead in our trespasses and sins” and “enemies of God.” The good news is that while we were enemies of God, Jesus came to this earth, loving us in spite of ourselves and laying down His life for OUR sin(s).
Nevertheless, we must pray for one another, as Paul is requesting here: “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people.” Paul understood the threat more than most, because he knew himself to be counted among the wicked and evil, prior to meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Paul also reminds us, as we pray, “the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect your from the evil one.” That is a promise worthy of remembrance.
Something else that is worthy of remembrance are the lives of the “great cloud of witnesses” (see Hebrews 11) that have gone before us. Today is celebrated as All Saints Day among many Christians. The term, “saint” is common in the biblical text and has nothing to do with beatification by the Roman Catholic Church. All who have trusted Jesus as their Savior are saints in the eyes of God.
Back to the great cloud of witnesses…
Their lives and witness are calling forward to us, along with Paul, “the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” We can celebrate those lives and their witness to us with gusto, today, and every day. Why? Because their lives and witnesses are a testimony to the faithfulness of God through Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is faithful.
He will strengthen you.
He will protect your from the evil one.
Amen. Happy Wednesday!