David Bahn – Reflections

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, ² not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 [ESV]

Over the years, people would come to me, asking about the Rapture, the End Times, the Final Judgment, or the Resurrection. Thankfully it seems those questions are not as common as they once were. Now questions center around the exclusive claims of Christ, the relationship of science to the Bible, creation and evolution, or the questions about sexual identities, practices, and morals.

But in Paul’s day the questions were swirling around the issue of Jesus’ return and how his followers would know it. There may have been some concern about the tribulation. But that was likely a lesser issue. The people of Paul’s day were living the tribulation. They were being actively persecuted. People were martyred for their allegiance to Jesus Christ.

But the devil will cause trouble however he can. In their case it was to confuse people about Jesus’ Second Coming. Had he already returned (see v. 2)? Who was the man of lawlessness? Why is he being delayed? Why is his power so evident and unrestrained? When will we be done with him?

These questions may seem foreign to us. But if we stop to think about it, that’s what we’re all asking from time to time. How long before I’m rid of this illness? When will my husband understand me? When will my wife appreciate me? Will my children ever learn to respect me? Will I ever get to see the world as it should be? Same questions. Different words.

Satan is doing all he can to confuse, misdirect, and deceive God’s people. He is set on killing, stealing, and destroying everything good and every hope that we have for God’s good grace. The answer is quite simple. When God determines it’s time to bring things to an end The End will come. When the fullness of God’s patience and grace is fulfilled Jesus will return. We may not be most fit for heaven when we are least happy on earth. But we are not wrong in praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” When Jesus comes all confusion will be laid to rest.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, ² not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 [ESV]

I had finished the graveside portion of a funeral for a church member in Arlington, Texas. A young man came up to me with an expression that signaled a great deal of earnestness. “I really appreciated how you talked about the resurrection of Jesus and his Second Coming,” he said. “Yes, well, that is the hope we have,” I replied. “Do you know that they’ve actually bred a red heifer in Jerusalem?!?” He was very excited. I had no idea what he was talking about. “Yes,” he said, “when they sacrifice it on the altar in Jerusalem, it will usher in…”

I honestly don’t remember the rest of what he said. But I do remember what his point was, and it had much to do with a particular understanding of the End Times, the tribulation, the Rapture, and the end of the world. Frankly, it seemed to me to overshadow the message of the gospel: that for Jesus’ sake, God forgives our sins, and promises all who believe eternal life.

Some espouse a pre-tribulation millennial belief. Others speak of a post-tribulation millennium. Still others are amillennialists (I number myself among those). I like to say, that I’m a pan-millennialist: It’ll all pan out in the end. Although I talk about the End Times in a somewhat whimsical manner, it’s anything but whimsical. But if our belief about the millennium is more important than faith in Jesus, we are in grave danger.

Such was the danger – in addition to the confusion about the End Times – that the Christians in Thessalonica faced. Here Paul is speaking about the antichrist, the man of lawlessness. Key markers of this one is that he exalts himself, takes his seat in the temple of God, and proclaims himself to be God. People through the years have supposed who this might be. Corrupt popes, Stalin, Hitler, Son Young Moon, come immediately to my mind.

I believe the Antichrist will come. And I believe he will be overcome by Jesus. I believe there will be no doubt when Jesus returns. And I truly do look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. The real truth is centered in and anchored in and secured in Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He loves us perfectly and eternally. He, alone, is worthy of our true love.

PS: Click here for a fuller discussion of millennialism. Or paste this into your browser window to see this article in the Lutheran Cyclopedia. [https://cyclopedia.lcms.org/display.asp?t1=m&word=MILLENNIUM]

Join me in praying these Psalms on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 53

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
    They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
    there is none who does good.

² God looks down from heaven
    on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
    who seek after God.

³ They have all fallen away;
    together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
    not even one.

⁴ Have those who work evil no knowledge,
    who eat up my people as they eat bread,
    and do not call upon God?

⁵ There they are, in great terror,
    where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
    you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When God restores the fortunes of his people,
    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 83:1-4

O God, do not keep silence;
    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
² For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
    those who hate you have raised their heads.
³ They lay crafty plans against your people;
    they consult together against your treasured ones.
⁴ They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!

² Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
³ From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!

⁴ The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
⁵ Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
⁶ who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
⁸ to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹ He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 143:1

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
All rights reserved

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore 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.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, 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, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

For many years, I undervalued the 23rd Psalm. The thoughts there, I realized, are good and edifying. The truths important. The promises rich. But not until I looked more closely at verse 4 did I begin to have a new and very deep appreciation for this well-known psalm. In verse 4 David stops speaking about God (“the LORD is my shepherd…He makes me lie down…He leads me…”) and begins speaking to God. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me,” he says [emphasis added].

In the dark times God’s presence is most precious. In the dark times we look for The Light of his love, goodness, mercy, and power. The candle burns brighter in the darkness than in the light. Well…actually the candle does not burn brighter in the darkness (as far as I’m aware). But it is more noticeable in the darkness. It is more clearly seen in the darkness of night than in the bright of day. Many Christians will confess that their prayers take on a stronger sense of urgency and fervency during times of trial than in times of favor. It’s true, David expresses thanks to God when “the lines have fallen in pleasant places.” But he pours out so many more of his Psalms in times of trouble and persecution. 

As Paul writes the Thessalonians they are experiencing persecution. This is clear by Paul’s reference to “all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” Paul’s chief concern in writing this letter is to clarify with them the not-yet-but-ultimate reality of Jesus’ Second Coming. There was some confusion there about this. Some even thought that the Day of the Lord (i.e., Second Coming of Jesus) had already happened (2 Thessalonians 2:2). He assures them that Jesus had not yet come, but that he would surely return, and the scales of justice will be balanced. 

In the meantime he commends their faithfulness and urges continued steadfastness. 

I think of people who have given to me the strongest witness for Christ. The testimony of a bedridden man in Springfield, Illinois comes to mind. I would visit him in the nursing home as part of my seminary field education training. I could barely understand his words, but I discovered in him a deep faith. His refrain of faithfulness, “There ain’t nothing the Lord can’t do!” echoes in my mind all these years later.

Jesus has shown that to be true when he rose from the dead. He promises eternal salvation to all who believe. That remains true no matter the external circumstances. He will come again at the end of all time and take his own to be with him forever. This is our true Christian hope.

Unbelievers might expect us to praise God when things go well. And well we should! God deserves all the praise for every good and perfect gift: it comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no shadow of change (cf. James 1:17). But in the throes of suffering we offer praise to God it’s as though a candle has been lit in the darkest of night. It brings light to all. Fellow believers are encouraged. Unbelievers surely take notice.

This is no call to seek hardship and suffering. But it is a reminder to us that when we praise God in the midst of suffering we show our faith to be pure and good. And we light a candle of hope for all to see.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore 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.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, 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, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

Maybe you’ve heard someone speak of some location as a God-forsaken place. That’s usually a moniker for a place no one wants to be. Death. Desolation. Despair. Gloom. Hopelessness. Unhappiness. Disheartment. When God forsakes a place life no longer flourishes. Hope hops a train. Misery moves in. Who wants to be there?

Many people, however who do not want to be in a God-forsaken place, have forsaken God. They don’t like his rules. They don’t want to acknowledge his sovereignty. They don’t think they need his mercy. But they surely do want the benefits of his providential care, gracious kindness toward them in their hour of need, and the positive influence of justice and good order that God provides.

Saddest of all, the most fundamental reality of hell is a God-forsaken place. Totally God-forsaken. Chaos. Godlessness. Death. Eternal despair. Everlasting hopelessness. Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Since unbelievers do not want to be in a God-forsaken place, they would surely not consign themselves to an eternity of such utter desolation. And Paul describes the eternal destiny of those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ as a place of “eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”

Those last words, “the glory of his might,” speak life and hope to people who look to God for salvation. True, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). It is better to fear God than being eternally banished from his presence. When David faced a terrible choice in punishment for his census taking: “David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man’” (1 Chronicles 21:13). 

On another occasion, Moses spoke to God in the threat of God’s abandonment of Israel: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” And recall the excruciating cry of Jesus from the cross. Echoing Psalm 22 he cries out, “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me?” Terrible. Tormenting. Torturous. And in our place, so we would not have to face that horrific God-forsaken experience.

Ultimately, the name of Jesus Christ will be glorified. Every tongue in heaven and on earth and under the earth will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God (cf. Philippians 2:11). Will it be a joyful exaltation of God’s grace or a cry of utter duress? Thanks be to God who has called us to repentance and faith so that we can experience an eternity of his glorious and gracious presence!

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore 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.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, 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, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

In the moment Mary was ready to let her have it: she had been cut off in traffic and it was just one too many times. She was tempted to crash her car into the back of the offender. That’s a made-up scenario. But there have been reports of road rage ending in death. Just this July. In Conroe, Texas – 40 miles from where I live, and a place where I regularly drove over recent months. We can get all too ready to take matters into our own hands. Exact revenge.

But as the saying goes, “Revenge is a dish that is best served cold.” In other words, it’s better not to react in the heat of the moment. And if you take that to its extreme, it means you should calculate and bring the retribution in a premeditated manner. Sounds pretty sinister to me. I’d hate to be put into the hands of someone so dedicated to cold-blooded revenge.

But according to a recent report, 4500 or more Christians were martyred last year in Nigeria alone. Violence and evil flourish on every continent. The name of Jesus is sullied and his followers mocked and ridiculed daily. Surely this needs to be stopped. It surely stirs my heart to hear of such things.

There will be a time when those who persecuted these believers, and all who do not honor Christ will experience Jesus coming “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (v. 8-9). This is terribly horrific. I don’t want to think of it. 

I don’t want to think of it, at least in part, because I know I’m a sinner – just like everyone else in the world. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). 

The only difference is how we view Jesus and our own sin. Those who acknowledge their sin and look to Jesus will be saved. This is the promise and the hope held out over against this dire prediction of doom and damnation. It is by the grace of God any of us has hope. And God is clear on this: He wants all people “to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

Jesus is the truth. He sets us free. And although it is very clear here about the vengeance of God, God’s greater desire is for us all to turn from our sinful ways and live. “As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11).

Hell: Let’s not go there. Let’s repent daily and live.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore 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.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, 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, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

I’ve been thinking lately about the approach of unchurched people which nearly begs people to come to worship. It’s as though they’re doing us (and God???) a favor by joining us in praising God, hearing his word, calling on him in prayer, and encouraging each other in the faith. Admittedly, when someone new attends a worship service I am happy for it. I love to see new people join the church. I’m delighted when someone from outside the church checks out what’s going on inside the church.

But they’re doing God no favor by attending worship. We don’t get any extra credit for welcoming someone into our fellowship. In fact, we may be taking on a whole new set of challenges and burdens in dealing with yet another sinner in our fellowship. For the church – hospital for sinners that it is – is full of sinners who are also saints. And sometimes even saints let the sinners get the better of us.

So when Paul writes, “To this end we always pray for you, 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,” he is lifting the curtain on a need we all have for humility toward God and one another. We are not in and of ourselves worthy of any of God’s favor and grace. Jesus taught this when he told his disciples, “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10).

We’re not doing God a favor by signing up for Jesus’ reign and rule. We are doing exactly what we ought to be doing. God makes us worthy by providing opportunities to sing his praise, call on him in prayer, and serve our neighbor. 

Sometimes I can fall into the trap of thinking that because I am a servant of Christ, I should never be dismissed, ridiculed, ignored, or put out. On the one hand one might think that if he or she lived a perfect life. But I don’t live a perfect life. And the only One who has was treated more shamefully than anyone I know. Because I am a servant of Christ, I have the privilege of using his name in prayer, experiencing his grace in repentance, and living under Christ in his kingdom. That’s the privilege of being a son or daughter of the covenant.

Then comes the responsibility of being his representative of his reign and rule. We do that when we do the good works God provides for us. We do that when we forgive others who have harmed us. We do that when we take the high road of kindness, integrity, mercy, and justice. We do that when we pray for someone to be healed. We do that when we point to God who alone is worthy of praise and who does us the favor of calling us into his kingdom.

All this, “so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Wow! What a privilege!

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore 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.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, 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, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

My dad, many years ago, attended the Dale Carnegie course. He did it to improve his business skills as well as his interpersonal skills. My sister and I would make fun of him because he would say things like, “Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic!” Eyerolls abounded! He also learned and taught me the Sandwich Method of providing criticism. You start with a complement, give the correction or criticism, then end with an affirming comment. It was meant to blunt the impact of the more difficult or negative feedback.

But that’s not what Paul is up to here. He begins with praise because that reflects his heart. He is truly joyful because of God’s work in and through him, and in and through the people of Thessalonica. This is the way Paul rolls. In nearly all of his letters he begins with some sort of blessing (e.g., “Grace and peace to you…”) followed by words of thanks to God: I thank my God for you in some manner of another.

He recognizes that he ought to give thanks to God for them because of their faith in God and their love for each other. He is genuinely thankful for these brothers and sisters in Christ. He recognizes their blessing to him and to each other. He is grateful that they glorify God by their steadfast faith and growing love. He says that he should have this attitude of gratitude. It’s not only a good attitude. It’s a proper and expected conviction.

Starting with thanks is proper, good, right, and salutary. We say it in the communion liturgy: It is good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks go you Holy God…” Good: beneficial, blessing, and edifying. Right: proper, appropriate, and decent. Salutary: beneficial, up-building, and confirming.

One of the condemning failures of sinful man is a failure to Give thanks to God. “Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him,” says Paul in Romans 1:21. Praise is proper. It puts things in perspective. It honors God. It puts problems in perspective. We properly start with praise and thanks to God for his grace to us and his work in others. It’s the right thing to do.

Join me in praying these Psalms on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 16:7-11

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸ I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 76:4-9

Glorious are you, more majestic
    than the mountains full of prey.
⁵ The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
    they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
    were unable to use their hands.
⁶ At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
    both rider and horse lay stunned.

⁷ But you, you are to be feared!
    Who can stand before you
    when once your anger is roused?
⁸ From the heavens you uttered judgment;
    the earth feared and was still,
⁹ when God arose to establish judgment,
    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

Psalm 106:1-5

Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
    or declare all his praise?
³ Blessed are they who observe justice,
    who do righteousness at all times!

⁴ Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
    help me when you save them,
⁵ that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
    that I may glory with your inheritance.

Psalm 136 (an overview of Israel’s history and God’s faithful, steadfast love through it all)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁴ and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁵ but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁰ and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²¹ and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²² a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
All rights reserved

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

²⁷ I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 [ESV]

Tom was set aside in favor of someone else being promoted. Joan was set aside by her former husband for a mid-life crisis trophy wife. Richard was set aside by his girlfriend in favor of a more exciting boyfriend. None of those would immediately be thought of as good experiences. Being set aside because you are out of favor hits us deep in our soul.

Paul’s prayer here is that we would be set aside for a far better reason and result. The reason is because of God’s love. The result is that we would be saved. Even so, sometimes we may wish not to have been set aside. We would rather not be set aside for ridicule because we’re Christians. We would not like to be set aside for promotion because we’ve taken a moral stand. If our friends set us aside because of our faith we may not like it.

But God sets us aside because of his love. The word sanctify means to set aside for holy purposes. God’s holy purpose is to save us from condemnation and death. He does that by calling us to faith in Jesus. This truly does set us apart. We’re not like those who do not believe in him. We readily acknowledge our sins and failures. We admit we have no power on our own to face death and judgement. We cannot save ourselves.

Our faith in Jesus places us in that truth. But it also places us in the truth that God has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves through Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection. And when he comes again on the Great Last Day we will be saved. Faith sees that Jesus is Lord of life and death. All this is because God loves us.

God loves us. He wants good for us. His heart is open to us and our needs. He has compassion on us in our broken and wayward, and even our rebellious state. His love is steadfast. He never waivers in his love for us. He does not abandon us in unloving carelessness. And his love is not just a compassionate, steadfast and kind attitude toward us. It moves him to act on our behalf.

He sets us aside for his special care. He sets us aside for focused attention when we pray. He sets us aside for his glory and our good.

One of my favorite ways to pray for someone is to ask God to set aside the person for his special attention and care. It’s a way of raising the level of attention and care toward one in need. And the promise here is that God is faithful. He will surely do this: setting us aside because of his love and for our eternal joy, peace, blessing, and glory when Jesus Christ returns.

Come, Lord Jesus!