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"Now may the Lord direct your hearts..."

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:5

A STRONG RELATIONSHIP

The apostle Paul felt much for the Thessalonians and he had every reason to rejoice in his friendship and fellowship with the Thessalonians.

1. He could see the hand of the Lord working in the lives of the believers.

2. There was a very strong and healthy relationship between Paul and the Thessalonian Church.

3. Though the Thessalonians were going through a hard time they had held fast to their faith.

A HEARTFELT WISH

The apostle Paul now expressed a heartfelt wish for the Thessalonian brethren.

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God
and into the patience of Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5

1. “Now may the Lord direct your hearts”

a) The word “direct” was translated into a clause.

b) This well expresses what is known as an “optative mood” in the Greek New Testament.

c) The optative may indeed be translated as “a wish”.

2. Directing of the heart

a) The word “direct”

i) To lead

ii) To guide

b) The “heart”

i) The seat of emotions.

ii) A major part of a person’s being.

3. Two directions expressed

a) “Into the love of God”

i) To fulfil what Jesus taught about love (John 13:34-35)

ii) To go deeper into the love of God.

iii) The Thessalonians had already shown good fruits of love.

b) “Into the patience of Christ”

i) A special sense of perseverance is meant.

ii) Steadfastness is the result of patience and perseverance.