Heralds Digest

  “ Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” II Thessalonians 1 : 11 - 12 NKJV When Apostle Paul said to the Philippians “ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death ( Philippians 3 : 10 )”, he makes ‘fellowship of His sufferings ’ appears like medals. Now to the Thessalonians, he is praying for them to have grace to pass the call and be worthy of the same ‘fellowship of His sufferings’ . Obviously, not everyone who is called is eventually counted worthy. Unfortunately, many believers would do everything including compromise to escape being counted. Whereas, persecutions at the centre of God’s calling are necessary working tools ...

"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power." (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NKJV) When passion mixes with interest, there exist great possibilities from human desires. For example, desire for abundant life suggests the fulfillment of the promises of promotion, protection and preservation. Unfortunately, many of human desires often contradict heavenly desires, including the desires of called-out-saints, like the Thessalonian believers. However, common denominator in believers' relationship with God is the prospect of faith growing. Apart from the showing of gratitude to God for enabling faith work, apostle Paul prayed always to God for empowering faith work. It implies that when divine power mixes with human interest, there would be no impossibility to heaven's desires in life through any form of prayer.

"...that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:12 NKJV) Heavenly glory besides, all earthly aspirations are intended to be rewarded with different coloration of glories, including material wealth, job promotion, professional accomplishment, business breakthrough, etc. With only self in mind for first service, even legitimate aspirations attract ugly consideration of the ultimate plan of God. Being satisfied with the consideration of God's glory, the Thessalonians explored the virtue of patience and faith in their persecutions and trials. Respect for the ingredient of time in all of God's appointments in life is not a misplacement of service. And our glories are best and securely served in God's first service.