Friday, January 26, 2007
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
STRENGTHEN YOUR GRIP
As believers in Christ we should also be thankful for the means which God has given us to bring about our salvation. God calls us to His salvation through His Word. Paul calls it the "gospel", which is the good news of what God has done for us in Christ. The works of God that we studied previously -- faith, sanctification, and salvation -- are all brought about in us by God, through His Word.
As we struggle with discouraging situations in our lives, we may be tempted to forget about the importance of God's Word in our lives. We may not feel like picking up our Bibles and doing our daily Bible reading. We may not feel up to making the long trip to attend Bible class and worship services on Sunday morning. But Paul tells discouraged believers to stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Don't let go of the means that God has given you to keep you on the path that leads to eternal salvation. When we find ourselves in the face of trials and discouragement, we should grip God's Word even tighter than before, because in such times we need it most.
When we are discouraged, there are two main things that we need -- comfort and strength. These blessings are offered to us though our Savior Jesus Christ. Knowing what God has done for us, we should take comfort in the fact that these trials we face in life, whatever they may be, will come to an end. As the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God we hear and read to give us ever growing knowledge of our everlasting consolation and hope for the life to come, He will also comfort our hearts in this life, and strengthen us for the trials and tribulations we will face every day.
Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil, and woe,
Or should pain attend me on my path below,
Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I many ever cast my care on Thee.
(TLH 516:3)
