2 Thessalonians 1. We ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring (2 Thes 1:4). The congregation in Thessalonica is enduring oppression and great hardship. The Apostle Paul is very proud of them for the way they are hanging in there – and their faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing (2 Thes 1:3).

It is true that when we face awful times; terrible, horrific situations that wound and hurt us; situations where we have not done anything wrong; situations where there is nothing we can do to fix it – these challenging times change our faith. We ask different questions, think about God in new and perplexing ways, and often struggle to make sense of it all.

Paul speaks into that kind of a situation. His message? It might feel like a mess right now, but God is just and good. A major theme in Jewish thought in this era was that God rewards the righteous who suffer. The emphasis is that God will punish those who persecute his people and deliver those who are righteous. Paul writes, “… indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you” (2 Thes 1:6). God’s justice falling on the unrighteous, and his deliverance of those who love him, is intimately connected to the second coming of Jesus, resurrection, and the final judgement. Paul writes that God will grant relief to you who are afflicted, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire… (2 Thes 1:7). God sides with his righteous people, fights for them, comforts them, and will eventually set all things right.

Waiting for Jesus to return for justice to be fully rendered seems like a long time. (Like how about a little justice right now, Lord?) Yet we are reminded, “Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35). Retribution is God’s business, not ours. God is righteous and just, never overreacts, and the punishment always fits the crime.

How are we to respond to suffering, persecution, and hardship? With our eyes fixed on eternity, full of faith that God is indeed just and good. We are to pray for each other, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and may fulfill every resolve for good, and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you (2 Thes 1:11-12).

What stands out to you in this chapter? Have you suffered injustice and longed for things to be set right? Is it difficult to imagine God being on your side, simply because his justice seems intangible and far off? Do you find comfort in the fact that God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you? Who can you be praying for as they struggle through challenging times?