保罗为他在帖撒罗尼迦的朋友感谢神；尽管他们知道他们会因相信耶稣受苦，然而他们确信他们会在衪里面找到平安，他们为救主作了多么美好的见证！帖撒罗尼迦人受到逼迫，然而他们的信心仍然站立得稳——这不是那么容易做得到的。
保持坚定不移的信心往往很困难，尤其是在生活上遇到意想不到的挑战时就更难。保罗差提摩太去视察一下帖撒罗尼迦人的状况，他因获悉他们仍然站立得稳而深感安慰和满有喜乐。他说：“你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了。”
在基督里站立得稳不一定是容易的——然而神告诉我们祂会赐平安、安慰和拯救给我们，我们只要靠近衪来面对挑战。生活是会带来伤痛、忧虑、恐惧和很多其他困难以及不安的感受。
要接受意料不到的和我们完全无法控制的际遇往往很困难，尤其是当我们渴望能渐入佳境时就更困难。然而，当我们靠近神时，衪应许祂会把衪出人意外的平安赐给我们。在挑战、逼迫和预料不到的际遇中，神的同在加添力量给我们疲惫的心灵——我们为此赞美衪。
主啊，求你叫我们在你里面站立得稳，在充满挑战的时候，帮助我们靠近你和信靠你。阿们。
帖撒罗尼迦前书 2:13-16；3:6-10
13为此，我们也不住地感谢神，因你们听见我们所传神的道就领受了；不以为是人的道，乃以为是神的道。这道实在是神的，并且运行在你们信主的人心中。
14弟兄们，你们曾效法犹太中、在基督耶稣里神的各教会，因为你们也受了本地人的苦害，像他们受了犹太人的苦害一样。
15这犹太人杀了主耶稣和先知，又把我们赶出去。他们不得神的喜悦，且与众人为敌，
16不许我们传道给外邦人使外邦人得救，常常充满自己的罪恶。神的愤怒临在他们身上已经到了极处。
6但提摩太刚才从你们那里回来，将你们信心和爱心的好消息报给我们，又说你们常常记念我们，切切地想见我们，如同我们想见你们一样。
7所以弟兄们，我们在一切困苦患难之中，因着你们的信心就得了安慰。
8你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了。
9我们在神面前，因着你们甚是喜乐，为这一切喜乐，可用何等的感谢为你们报答神呢！
10我们昼夜切切地祈求，要见你们的面，补满你们信心的不足。
"In all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8
Paul thanked God for his Thessalonian friends, who, despite knowing they would suffer for their faith in Jesus, were sure of the security they would find in him. What a witness they were to the Savior! The Thessalonians were persecuted, but they remained steadfast in their faith—and that is not always easy.
It can be difficult to remain faithful, especially when life presents unexpected challenges. When Paul sent Timothy to check on the Thessalonians, he was encouraged and filled with joy that their faith had remained strong. He said, "For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord."
Remaining firm in Christ is not always easy—but God tells us about the peace, comfort, and redemption he provides when we stay near to him despite our challenges. Life can bring grief, worry, fear, and a host of other difficult and uncomfortable emotions.
It can be hard to accept circumstances that are unpredictable and far outside of our own control, especially when our hearts yearn to make things better. But when we draw near to God, he promises to give us his peace that surpasses all understanding. God's presence strengthens our weary hearts through challenges, persecution, and unforeseen circumstances—and for that we praise him!
Lord, plant our feet firmly in you. Help us to draw nearer to you in challenging times and to trust in you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
