Good news? Bad news? Bad news is that the church is tried, but our troubles and trials don’t define us; they reveal what’s in us, our hope, our character, and our Lord, Bad news is also that the wicked will be judged and punished by God.
The good news is that God will reward His people and be glorified. Since glory and eternal reward in God’s presence are ahead for believers, we should live today for His glory.

I. Christ’s Praise (2 Thess 1:10). At Christ’s second coming, there will be a great judgment of the unbelieving, and Jesus will be revealed in unimaginable splendor (Mt 16:24-17:8; 2 Pet 1:16-21). His saints on earth will admire (marvel, be astonished) Him and the Church shine as the example of His grace, mercy, love, and wisdom (Eph 1:7; 3:10). An amazed universe will bow before Him in awe-inspired worship.

II. Paul’s Prayer (2 Thess 1:11). Although separated by distance, Paul had a continuing ministry to the Thessalonians. Besides thanking God for them (2 Thess 1:3), boasting of them to others (2 Thess 1:4), assuring them of God’s reward (2 Thess 1:7), he prayed for them always (2 Thess 1:11). Always doesn’t mean non-stop, but that these believers were in his heart and on his mind, and at every remembrance, he prayed.
Paul prayed that God would count them worthy of this calling. A calling (kleseos) is an invitation and summons to a relationship (Gal 1:15-16). When God calls us to Himself, we are wholly un-worthy of Him and His salvation. Nor do we become worthy, but we are accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6) and counted worthy only because Jesus is worthy. Once we are born again, we are to walk or live worthy of His calling, living up to the name Christian (Eph 4:1-3; Col 1:9-14).
Outer space declares God’s glory (Ps 19:1-2). The moon, galaxies of stars and such manifest His power, wisdom, creative, greatness, etc. The heavens reveal something of His character and ability (Rom 1:20), but seeing creation can’t save anyone, nor demonstrate all of His attributes like love, mercy, forgiveness. Our lives are to glorify Him, revealing the wonders and greatness of His character.
Paul prayed for God to fulfill (complete, finish, work to an end) all the good pleasure of His goodness. His good pleasure refers to an inner purpose or desire that produces satisfaction. His second request was that God would perform a good work in them, the work of sanctification making them more like Jesus, even if by trials, testing, and persecution (Phil 1:6).
This isn’t a work we can achieve, it is the work (ergon) of faith with power (dunamis). Dunamis usually describes the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. It refers to an inner ability or strength to fulfill an function or purpose. No one can fulfill the work of God but God Himself. Paul is asking for more than power to do something, but for God to finish what He began, and believers to trust Him to do it (Phil 1:6).

III. God’s Purpose (2 Thess 1:12). The purpose of Paul’s prayer was more than for the benefit of the Thessalonians; it was for the benefit of the Lord Himself and His name’s sake (Ps 23:3).
A name describes one’s character. To glorify a name is not to chant a name or sing a song, but to praise or enhance the reputation of someone. Paul’s prayer was that the believer’s lives would bring glory to the Father and Son.
In the end, the Father, Son, and those who believe will be honored. The trials and troubles of believers will one day be reversed, the put downs and persecutions will become praise and pleasure.
This is all a result of God’s grace, God’s unmerited favor. Everything in the Christian’s life is the result of His grace.