“And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
He also requested prayer for the protection of God in his life and for the life of his friends. He is constantly in enemy territory. Satan and his forces would love nothing better than to see Paul stopped and the message be denied.
There was rebellion by the Jews against his preaching that Jesus is Lord. For the Jews, that was blasphemy. He was requesting prayer for deliverance from wicked and evil men.
By thinking of the faithfulness of God, Paul's thought changed from praying for the missionary team to the encouragement that the Lord will strengthen and protect him and the Thessalonians from the evil one. They are in it together. Because he has seen the faithfulness of the Lord, he can testify of Him and know that He will provide what the Thessalonians need, especially protection from Satan's ultimate attacks.
There are tremendous spiritual conflicts surrounding us of which we know only a part. I am amazed as one thinks on these things, how often verses remind us of the way the evil one wants to destroy the believers’ witness. Just as Jesus prays for Peter, knowing he will tangle with Satan and prays for his protection and deliverance, so he also knows that he will feel his effects. Luke 22:31,32 He told Peter that Satan had demanded to have him in order to sift him like wheat. "But I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
We know that in missions there are battles that we do not think of. There are the rebels in Ethiopia, who keep the people out of food and homes and water. It is disheartening to see cultures steeped in animism, tribal conflicts, and competition for the meager resources many lack. How can one spread the word in a country war torn, impoverished politically, economically and militarily. The evil one is at work.
there is the evil of communistic countries and the atrocities of Russia, North Korea, and China. The persecution is different in each land, but Christians know they walk under the threat of torture and abuse.
Covid, mission money had diminished. Is that not the evil one also doing what he can to prevent the spread of the gospel and bring discouragement. Missionaries know protection from evil people is only from God. We also need His strength and His presence in our country and culture where evil abounds.
Application: The Lord taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Prayer is the important key that links us up with the only one who has the power for our protection.
Prayer: Lord, today we pray for your shield of protection around our missionaries and all those sharing the gospel. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore.” Ps 125:2
