Lord God, I draw encouragement in these troubled times. The story of how your church spread in spite of the pressure of persecution’s wine press amazes me and confounds me at the same time. This positive report to Paul from believers in a city from which he was chased by an angry mob states the case. Even after only a few weeks there to speak the gospel, your message miraculously took hold and turned hearts to Jesus. I praise you for your work through the Holy Spirit. I am grateful for your covenant promise of eternal life and deliverance from your coming wrath. Thank you for calling me by name to walk by faith. Thank you for the peace and assurance I have because of Christ in me. I lift my prayer in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.
“For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 ESV)