«Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ» (2 Thessalonians 1:1, 2).
IN THE SECOND LETTER to the Thessalonians, Paul assures Christians of the acceptance of the Lord, insists that they must thank God for the victories conquered. and emphasizes their growth in the Christian virtues of faith, brotherly love, and firmness in the face of persecution.
In chapter l, the apostle emphasizes faith, love, and patience. Paul shows happiness for the spiritual development of the brethren, and as they have remained faithful in the faith, even in the midst of tribulations. The greater the suffering, the greater their faithfulness and commitment to God.
That is why God sometimes allows suffering in our lives and it results as precious because it brings us closer to Him, which we would not happen in circumstances of comfort. In the face of trials, it is necessary to stand firm in our faith in God, not to demonstrate our capacity for faithfulness but for Jesus Christ to be glorified in our lives.
Edward Zakim is a fighter and an extraordinary missionary, a suffering soldier for Jesus. I met him forty years ago. He was always dedicated and committed to Christ and to the church, and someone who gained dozens of souls and inspired many to the ministry.
But Edward went through tremendous trials. He lost his twenty-seven-year-old daughter Cintia when she drowned when she threw herself into an icy lake to rescue a boy. He lost his wife Ana to cancer. She had been given three months to live and lived for three years because of her faith and healthy eating style. And he also lost Toelia at thirty-three years of age, the only daughter he had left, to a terminal cancer.
Edward has remained faithful and is a blessing to many who are comforted by his life and preaching. He is constantly invited by churches to share revival issues. He never stopped giving Bible studies and encouraged us to fulfill our mission always. He is remarried to a woman name Irene, an extraordinary Christian and exemplary woman.
In his book, ¿Qué Dios como tú? [What God is there like You?] with testimonies of miracles and conversions, Edward motivates us to fully trust in God’s promises. That way, as we face the next trial, we can remain faithful; and in every soul that crosses our path we can see a candidate for heaven.
Today we can say «thank you» to the night that allows us to see the stars and we can say «thank you» to the sufferings that allow us to see the consolation and purpose of God.
