[God will] give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven. 

2 Thessalonians 1:7 NKJV

Some of the worst troubles we experience are those that others inflict on us deliber­ately. Then it’s personal, and the hurt is deeper. Most hurtful are the injuries we do not deserve, es­pecially when we are attacked for confessing Christ, harassed for what we believe.

Why does God permit others to trouble us like that? Because that is also how Christ was treated for our sake. A disciple is not above his teacher. To suf­fer with Christ is also to be counted worthy of God’s kingdom. Jesus affirms, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11–12).

God gives us strength to endure such troubles through Christ, who endured them for us in His Pas­sion and death. And when our Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, we will be given rest and relief from all that burdens us. Even now Christ gives us rest in His Word and in the Supper of His body and blood. His peace helps us persevere until that day when we marvel in His majesty and share in His glory.

O Lord, “Restless is our heart until it comes to rest in Thee” (from Augustine). Give us Your rest and peace. Amen.