But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the Evil One.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
As I was often reminded by my Sunday school teacher whenever I came across the word but I should instantly stop and find out why that word was there. He would always remind me it was, in his opinion, something important that God wanted to say.
It is clear that Paul had the same thing in mind. Therefore he wants Timothy to know something very important.
- The Lord (sovereign) is faithful. In this context Paul was saying how he needed to be delivered from people who were against him, but he does not dwell on this. He quickly assures Timothy no matter what or who is against him there is someone for him. In Romans he says “If God be for him who can be against him.” Paul also reminds us that he was persuaded that God is able. In life we are going to be let down. That is inevitable, but Paul assures us we will not be let down by God. Draw comfort from this.
- The word establish means to strengthen, secure, make stable, firm and set fast. The word keep means to guard . Put these attributes together and this is what Paul is wanting us to hold onto. We are strengthened, secure, set fast and guarded by the Lord himself in these extremely difficult times.
I have just had a text that two of our family members in Erdington look as if they have the virus. I hope they can take comfort in this verse “But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the Evil One”.