Daily Devotional for Tuesday, April 16

Paul Remembers Athens

“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,” 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 2.

In Acts 16, Paul received the vision to go to Macedonia with news that Jesus is the Messiah. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke went to Philippi, Macedonia’s leading city, and had a short, but strategically fruitful ministry there. After Paul and Silas were released from prison, they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica. Luke records the team was there at least three weeks (three Sabbaths) before the new believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea for their safety. The jealous Jews of the city were ready to kill them (Acts 17:5). They followed the team to Berea and agitated the crowds there, so those new believers also sent Paul away in haste.

Paul arrived in Athens alone. His team was split up. Silas and Timothy were to join him as soon as possible, but we learn in today’s passage that Paul sent word to Timothy to go back and comfort the believers in Thessalonica. They created a deep bond with these believers in a very short time.

We can relate. God sometimes gives us instant connections with people in a short time. If you have been on a short-term mission trip, you have likely left part of your heart there with the people. The Thessalonian believers captured Paul’s thoughts and heart. With the antagonistic Jews’ ruthlessness, he was concerned for his brothers and sisters. If he could not be there himself, he wanted a trusted friend there to encourage and help them. Timothy established and comforted them in their faith. They were facing persecution for their new faith, and the tempter was hard at work. Timothy was sent to help them stand firm lest the team’s labor be in vain.

THOUGHT
Ask the Lord if maybe you are to be someone’s Timothy—someone sent to comfort him in his faith.

Kelli Reynolds