An Interesting Absence

In the opening chapters of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, he recounts his ministry among them, and identifies with the peresecution they are facing (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:16).  After that, he writes,

“Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.  And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions.  For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.  In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened.  For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent ⌊him⌋ to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, HCSB).  

In light of his concerns, Paul sends Timothy to minister to the Thessalonians.  He continues,

“But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and ⌊reported⌋ that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you.  Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith.  For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.  How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10, HCSB)?

 He then prays for his friends. 

“Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.  And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.  May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.  Amen” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, HCSB).

What’s interesting to me is what’s absent from his prayer.  In his concern for them and their faith in the midst of trials, he prays for the love to overflow.  He asks God to make them blameless.  He does not ask for God to remove their trials or to stop their persecutions.  That’s what I would have prayed.  I imagine that’s what you would have prayed also.  Yet, Paul doesn’t.  He asks God to strengthen their walk in the midst of their suffering.  That has a pretty powerful impact on how we view trials.  Sometimes, the loudest lessons are in what’s absent.