“What the enemy means to hinder, God can redeem for His glory.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 19, 2025
But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18
I miss my wife, Rita. She traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a Women’s Conference. Invited by her good friend Teri, they will share wonderful moments with both old and new friends. The older we get, the less we like being apart at night. I know our hearts remain connected, even when we are separated by 1,859 miles, but I still miss her smile, her laugh, and her company. While I wait, I will ask the Holy Spirit to deepen my love for Rita and help her feel the generous love of other sisters in the faith. What are some ways to shift my focus away from minor inconveniences like being responsible for meals and instead notice small acts of service that could bless her, such as watering the plants or taking some of my clothes to the thrift store?
Paul describes a deep longing to be with those he loves and who love him. He writes from a place of yearning and ache, his heart stretched thin across miles and circumstances beyond his control. Picture him pacing in a dimly lit room, parchment before him, candle flickering as he whispers prayers for friends he cannot touch. His heart swells with affection and frustration, feeling both imprisoned by distance and liberated by love that refuses to be confined. The echo of shared laughter haunts the silence, and his ink becomes tears on the page. Yet even in absence, Paul’s faith transforms separation into devotion. Though walls and seas divide, the Spirit bridges every gap, binding souls in eternal fellowship through Christ’s love. Distance cannot diminish what God has joined together. But what does he mean by “Satan blocked our way?”
Evil pursues those who pursue God, aiming to dismiss, discredit, and destroy their faith. When Paul says, “Satan blocked our way,” he’s revealing a spiritual truth behind his physical circumstances. He and his companions longed to return to the Thessalonian believers, but every attempt was blocked, not by random chance or bad luck, but by intentional spiritual opposition. Paul understood that Satan actively works to hinder gospel relationships and ministry. The phrase doesn’t mean he feared the devil’s power more than God’s. It means he recognized the devil’s resistance to divine purposes. These “blockages” could have taken many forms: political restrictions, illness, persecution, or even disrupted travel plans that seemed too coincidental to be accidental. Yet Paul’s faith stayed firm. He trusted that the Lord’s sovereignty overruled Satan’s schemes, turning temporary barriers into opportunities for deeper prayer, endurance, and spiritual growth. In short, the Apostle’s words remind us that spiritual warfare is real, but divine love and purpose always prevail. What the enemy means to hinder, God can redeem for His glory.
You may be separated from someone you love by natural or supernatural reasons. Whatever your situation, stay focused on your love for the Lord and His love for you, as nothing can separate you from the love of God. Holidays can be the hardest; your heart aches to be with the one(s) who capture your heart, yet Jesus has your heart and will not let go. Allow the affections of your Savior to flow over you, like a warm shower after an exhausting day. Spiritual fatigue comes from resisting the devil, so it’s essential to rest/refuel in the arms of the Almighty. You may be separated for a season from someone special, so while you wait, be loved by your greatest Love.
“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8).
Prayer
Lord, when distance keeps me from the one I love, draw me close to You. Let Your steadfast love fill the empty spaces and bring peace to my waiting heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
You are a beloved child of God. Ask Jesus to fill the gaps of love left by being separated from someone special.
Related Reading
John 10:28-29; Romans 1:11-12, 8:35-39; 2 Timothy 1:4
Worship Resource
Brandon Lake/Phil Wickham: Love of God
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