August 29 2026

August 29 Saturday

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Our Glory and Joy

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we come to the closing verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. In verses 17 through 20, Paul gives us a beautiful glimpse into the heart of a true servant of God. He reminds us that ministry is not primarily about programs, buildings, crowds, or accomplishments. Ministry is about people. Paul writes: “But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.” Remember what had happened. Paul and Silas had come to Thessalonica preaching the Gospel, and many people had believed. But opposition arose, and eventually Paul and Silas were forced to leave the city. Paul uses a very interesting expression here when he says they had been “taken away from you.” The word carries the idea of being orphaned or bereaved. Paul felt the separation deeply.

Earlier in this chapter, Paul compared himself to a nursing mother tenderly caring for her children. Then he compared himself to a father exhorting and encouraging his children. Now he describes what it felt like to be separated from these believers. He says, in effect, “We may have been separated from you physically, but you have never left our hearts.” That is one of the wonderful things about Christian fellowship. Distance may separate us physically, but it does not have to separate our hearts. Over the years, God brings many people into our lives. Sometimes circumstances move us apart. We may live hundreds or even thousands of miles away from each other. We may not see one another for years. But when our hearts have been joined together in Christ, there remains a bond that distance cannot destroy.

Then Paul says in verse 18: “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.” Paul wanted to return. He tried more than once. But he says very plainly, “Satan hindered us.” That reminds us that Satan is real, and spiritual opposition is real. Whenever God is doing a great work, we should not be surprised when the enemy attempts to hinder it. Now, we need to be careful. We should not blame Satan for every inconvenience or every difficulty that comes into our lives. Sometimes God Himself closes a door. In Acts 16, the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going into certain areas because God was directing him somewhere else. So there are times when God redirects us, and there are other times when Satan resists us. We need spiritual discernment to know the difference. But I love this thought: Satan may hinder the servant of God, but he cannot stop the work of God. Satan hindered Paul from returning to Thessalonica, but he could not stop Paul from writing this letter. And here we are nearly two thousand years later, still reading the letter Satan could not prevent! Sometimes what appears to be a hindrance in our lives may become an opportunity for God to accomplish something even greater.

Then Paul tells us why these people meant so much to him. Verse 19 says: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” What a wonderful statement! Paul looked beyond the present difficulties to the day when Jesus Christ would return. He pictured himself standing in the presence of the Lord, and he said that these believers would be his “hope,” his “joy,” and his “crown of rejoicing.” The word “crown” here refers to the victor’s crown—the wreath that was given to someone who had successfully completed the race. Paul was saying, “When I stand before Jesus, one of my greatest joys will be seeing you there!” That should cause every one of us to ask an important question: Who will be in heaven because God used my life to point them to Jesus?

When we stand before the Lord, the things that seem so important today will not matter very much. Our possessions will be left behind. Our houses, cars, bank accounts, awards, and earthly accomplishments will all stay here. But people are eternal. Think of the joy of standing before Jesus and seeing someone whom you led to Christ. Maybe it was a child you taught the Word of God. Maybe a neighbor with whom you shared the Gospel. Maybe someone you encouraged during a difficult time. Maybe someone whose life was changed because you faithfully prayed for them.

Paul finishes the chapter in verse 20: “For you are our glory and joy.” Notice he did not say, “My accomplishments are my glory.” He did not point to the churches he planted, the sermons he preached, or the miles he traveled. He pointed to people. “You are our glory and joy.” My friend, that is what Christian ministry is really about. Jesus came because He loved people. He died on the cross because He loved people. And if we are going to have the heart of Jesus, then we must love people too. One day, when the Lord Jesus Christ comes again, what a joy it will be to discover that God used our lives—our prayers, our witness, our encouragement, our giving, and our faithfulness—to help someone come to know Christ and grow in Him. The greatest investment we can ever make is an investment in the eternal souls of people.

So today, let’s ask ourselves: Who has God placed in my life that I can encourage? Who can I pray for? Who can I share Christ with? Who can I help along their spiritual journey? Because someday, when we stand “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming,” we may be able to look at those precious people and say with Paul: “You are our glory and joy.”

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You have placed in our lives. Thank You for those who shared the Gospel with us, prayed for us, encouraged us, and helped us grow in our faith. Lord, give us the heart of Paul—a heart that genuinely loves people and longs to see them walking with You. Help us not to become discouraged when Satan puts obstacles in our way. Remind us that he may hinder us, but he can never stop what You have determined to accomplish. Use our lives to point others to Jesus. And when we someday stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming, may there be precious people there who are our glory and joy because You graciously allowed us to have a part in their lives. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!