September 22 2026

September 22 Tuesday

2 Thessalonians 1:5-7

“God Will Make It Right”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we come to 2 Thessalonians 1:5–7. Paul has just commended these believers for their patience and faith during persecution. Now he reminds them of something they desperately needed to remember: God sees what is happening, and one day God will make everything right. Paul speaks of their endurance as: “A manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.” Then he continues: “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.” These believers were suffering because they followed Jesus Christ. From their perspective, it probably looked as though the people persecuting them were getting away with it.

Have you ever wondered why God allows injustice? Why do people sometimes seem to suffer for doing what is right while others prosper while doing what is wrong? The Bible never pretends that injustice doesn't exist. But Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God has the final word. Paul calls God's judgment righteous judgment. God never makes a mistake. Human judges can misunderstand evidence. People can misjudge motives. We can even misunderstand one another. But God knows everything. He knows every action. He knows every motive. He knows every secret. And therefore His judgment is always perfectly righteous.

Abraham asked in Genesis 18:25: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And the answer is absolutely yes. Notice also that Paul isn't telling these persecuted Christians to seek revenge. He is telling them to trust God. Romans 12:19 says: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” That takes an enormous burden off our shoulders. You and I don't have to settle every score. We don't have to make everyone pay for every wrong done to us. We can place those things into the hands of a righteous God.

Then Paul gives these suffering believers a beautiful promise. He says: “And to you who are troubled rest with us.” I love that word—rest. The Thessalonians were under pressure now, but the pressure wouldn't last forever. There was coming a day of rest. And notice when Paul says that ultimate rest will come: “When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven.” Paul keeps bringing these believers back to the return of Jesus Christ. Their present suffering had to be viewed in light of eternity. And that is still true for us. Whatever burden you are carrying today is temporary. Whatever heartache you are experiencing is temporary. Whatever injustice you may have endured is temporary. But our relationship with Jesus Christ is eternal.

There is coming a day when Christ will return and everything will be seen from God's perspective. That doesn't mean our suffering isn't real. The Thessalonians' suffering was very real. But it means that suffering doesn't get the last word. Jesus does. Perhaps today someone has treated you unfairly. Maybe you've been misunderstood. Maybe you've experienced something that you cannot fix. You don't have to carry the burden of making everything right yourself. Place it in God's hands. He sees. He knows. And He will always do what is right.

Until then, we keep trusting Him. We keep loving others. We keep doing what is right. And we keep looking for Jesus. Because one day our faith will become sight, our struggles will be over, and we will enter into the rest He has promised.

Let's pray. Father, thank You that You are a righteous and faithful God. When we experience injustice or difficulty, help us not to become bitter or seek revenge. Help us place those things into Your hands and trust You to do what is right. Give us grace to remain faithful while we wait for the day when our Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed from heaven. In His name we pray, Amen.

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