The Friday after the Fifth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on July 10, 2026 by under
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 (NKJV)
2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Devotion
“When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
The Thessalonians recognized that the preaching of Paul and his fellow servants was not the word of men, but the very Word of God. God had called and sent these men to preach on His behalf. In His stead and by His command, they proclaimed the Good News of salvation to the Thessalonians.
Today, God still calls and sends ministers in the Church to proclaim this Good News. Pastors are sent in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. When they administer Holy Absolution, it is the very forgiveness of God. When they preach faithfully from the pulpit, their word has God’s stamp of approval. And, just like in Thessalonica, their word works effectively in those who believe. Just as the Word of God spoken by Paul was effective for creating and strengthening faith in the Thessalonians, so the Word spoken by called and ordained pastors works effectively in us.
Let us, like the Thessalonians, recognize this work of God among us and welcome it—not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.
Collect: O God, Who hast prepared for them that love Thee such good things as pass man’s understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward Thee, that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
