Monday Devotional: October 24, 2022

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 (CEB)

Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you. This is only right because your faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds, and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (CEB)

When we hear deep truths or experience great blessings, there is in all of us the need to respond in some way to the truth or blessings we have received. This was certainly true for Paul. When he speaks of the grace God shows us — the ideas that have come to us or been taught to us, the people who have shown us little mercies, the beauty of surroundings that have spoken to us — he acknowledges our need to respond to God in gratitude (vv. 2-3) Gratitude follows grace. We become grateful for the grace we receive.

In this passage, it is the grace of God that has empowered the Thessalonians to trust God and love each other. So Paul points this out, which is good because people don’t always notice the grace of God working in their lives. Because the Thessalonians had been suffering persecutions (see 1 Thessalonians 2:14-3:5), hearing someone’s deep thankfulness — this can be a humbling and empowering experience.

What do you need to celebrate today? What are you grateful for today? What might you notice in the congregation of which you are a part that is evidence of God’s grace: Who has moved ahead when they had reason to fall behind? Who has gifted you with love and generosity? How has God been at work softening hardened hearts? How have been people shown love to each other? Who is suffering but bearing it and even seeking God in the midst of it? As you notice these things, give thanks to God for them.

Lead me to see your grace working in others, O God. Guide me in expressing my gratitude for it. Amen

By Jan Johnson, Upper Room Disciplines 2010, p. 315.