My wife, Karen, and I have enjoyed visiting Mackinac Island on several occasions. When you cross the Mackinac Bridge, you can look to one side and see the vastness of Lake Michigan, and look to the other side and see the vastness of Lake Huron. It was here I learned how to feed your soul by meditating of God’s word.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 is like that, bringing together—not two lakes—but two oceans, two worlds, two galaxies: the love of God and the perseverance of Christ. Here is the verse in the New International Version: May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance (2 Thess. 3:5, NIV). The word “perseverance” can also be translated “patience.” If you have a King James Bible, that is what you will find there—“the love of God and the patience of Christ.”
Feed Your Soul by Meditating on God’s Word
Paul prays that God will direct the hearts of Christian believers into the vast depths of God’s love and Christ’s patience. But where can you go to receive that direction? God speaks to you directly through His Word. He directs your heart as you read it and meditate on it. Here is a simple strategy that can help you to feed on God’s Word directly.
1. Restate and Apply
There are three simple observations we can make by restating and applying just one verse of Scripture, 2 Thessalonians 3:5:
1. We need love and patience, especially when we are tired of the battle.
2 Thessalonians was written to Christians who were experiencing the draining effects of the difficulties of life.
You may say, “Well, that’s me.” You have difficulties at home, tensions at work. You’re experiencing endless visits to the doctor, the wearing effect of ongoing pain. You have difficulties in your marriage, a wayward son or a wayward daughter. And you find yourself saying, I need love, and I need patience!
2. God can give us the love and patience we need.
Notice something wonderful about this verse. Paul is not asking Christians to do something for God. He’s asking God to do something for them!
