God's Directing Our Way

I would call these words which I have just read to you, Paul’s benedictory prayer to the saints at Thessalonica. A benediction is an act of uttering a blessing, by either a minister or a private person. It is often, as we find it here, a prayer which is spoken by the minister of God, a prayer of good-will to them, a prayer in which he hopes that God’s rich blessings will fall upon that congregation. It is often given at the end of a message which is delivered by the minister, but not always. Just because Paul was not in their presence, just because he could not utter His Apostolic wished blessing to them in person, did not mean that he could not do it by means of this letter. What a man is, and can say in person, he can often do just as well in a letter. And sometimes, Paul in his letters will break out into a benediction right in the middle of stating a truth, or expressing a strong desire of what he would like to see God do.
The spiritual strength and health of your Christian life is bound up in prayer for other Christians and their growth in holiness. It is bound up in your strong desires to see others besides yourself grow in their faith, and love, and every grace. Paul’s benediction consists of 3 benedictory prayer wishes concerning the church at Thessalonica. What are these blessings which Paul wishes for? Well, 1st there is a prayer for God’s direction. 2nd – There is a prayer for love to abound. And 3rd – There is a prayer for holiness; holiness both then, and at Christ's Second Coming. Let’s think about these things for a few minutes.