Bible Truth #228 - 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3

1 Thessalonians 3:2-3
2  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

3  so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.

Destined for them? Here God (through Paul) is once again telling us that He has a plan for our lives and no matter what we may think, it is taking place and it was destined to occur.

Paul was not putting to paper a general thought at this point that trials and persecution will come for believers as he did in Philippians 1:29. He said specifically “these trials” AND that they knew very well that they were destined for them. Why would they know very well the trials were destined for them? Answer - Because this was among what Paul taught them while he was with them. He confirmed it in this very letter.

He taught them about God’s sovereignty, not only in destining them to suffer through these trials, but also God’s sovereignty in Election: how God chose them (1 Thessalonians 1:4), how God’s Word IS at work in them (1 Thessalonians 2:13), how those not chosen have no chance, no opportunity, no hope (Ephesians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13), and how we are to give thanks in all circumstances because He is in control (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Bible Truth #137).

Bottom Line: God orders our footsteps (Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 16:9) hence those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) WILL come to Christ (John 6:37), it IS for that which we were destined.