2 Thessalonians 1

Affliction and Relief

Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us... (1:6-7)

3 truths from this verse:

1. The World Inflicts Affliction Toward Us

We live in a world where the devil is the god of this world. That means the devil is in charge, and the world who is aligned with the devil is our enemy.

The world will inflict afflictions toward us. They won't understand us. They will mock us (psychological affliction), steal from us (financial affliction), harm us (physical affliction), manipulate us (relational affliction), and tempt us (spiritual affliction).

2. God Repays The Afflictor With Affliction

Like any good parent, God looks after His children. God sees the affliction we suffer and will avenge on our behalf. God can do this since God is the ultimate judge–it's not our place to perform such judgment.

3. God Grants Us Relief

Finally, while the world inflicts affliction toward us, God counteracts that by granting us relief.

There's no middle ground here–either we choose God or the world. Both are sworn enemies and will grant relief to their side and inflict affliction toward the other.