Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This second book of Thessalonians was apparently written quite soon after the first one. It was written in response to a false teaching that had permeated part of the church. This false teaching interpreted Paul’s prior letter as having said that Jesus’ second coming was now at hand. This false teaching created discouragement for the believers, because they were in the midst of intense suffering. Their hope through the suffering was based in part, that Jesus would come back and they would join him in heaven.

If he had already come, what did this mean for them?

In spite of this urgent need to communicate, Paul starts this letter off with a greeting and his standard focus points: Grace and Peace from God.

Grace that had been poured out on them as sinners, who deserved death for their sins. And peace, not as the world gives, which is void of anything true and right. This peace is peace with God. It is God’s gift to us to bring peace in our hearts and a resulting joy in any trial.

Today, receive God’s grace and peace. Meditate on it.  Live under it. Act as a recipient of it. And you will be greatly blessed!

Lord, thank you that you died on a cross for me to pay a price for sin that would have destroyed me. You rescued me, redeemed me, and called me your own. Fill me with your peace and help me to distribute it to all around me!