So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:9-10

The first nine verses of Acts 17 communicate Paul and Silas’ experience in Thessalonica, the city of the Thessalonians. Their experience there was filled with rejection and persecution. But that is not the end of the story. There are two books in the New Testament named 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. Reading these two short books reveals that though the rejection of the gospel and the gospel messengers was severe, even in the short time Paul and Silas were there, they (or we should say the Holy Spirit?) planted a church.

Reading Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, we are encouraged that though the church needed correction on some matters, there was a congregation of believers who loved the Lord Jesus.

Lesson: Even though life and ministry are often fraught with sorrows, the Lord will always save His people.

The next time you read the Thessalonian letters, I pray you will remember the first nine verses of Acts 17, and the account of that church’s birth—amidst perilous persecution.

And as we pray for our brothers and sisters who live in places of persecution, let us pray that God would continue to save His people in those places!

Last thought for today: When Paul and Silas left Thessalonica, they went to Berea where they did the same thing (going to the synagogue) but experienced vey different results.