Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice the mention of suffering?

What kind of joy stands up to suffering?

The joy of the Lord.

The joy that surpasses all understanding.

Does that mean that they experienced some sort of euphoria upon learning of Jesus?

While that may have happened, I believe the joy they speak of is a deep abiding hope, encouragement, and peace that comes from being spiritually alive and in fellowship with God and fellow believers.

This kind of joy stays alive even when hard times come and happiness is hard to find.

This kind of joy kept the church in Thessalonica together despite Paul having to flee the city for his life. It kept them going through serious persecution, even turning that persecution into a rallying cry that gave them uncommon strength.

That kind of joy has sustained me through the highs and lows of my life, keeping me on the path of life.

Do you know that kind of joy?
What has joy brought you through?