Thursday, February 16, 2006
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 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.
THANKFUL FOR COMFORT!
When we are discouraged, there are two main things that we need -- comfort and strength. These blessings are also offered to us though our Savior Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that our future is in God's hands. God has loved us, and sent His Son Jesus to secure our eternal salvation. In spite of the times of discouragement we face in this life, God has given us "everlasting consolation" and "good hope by grace." This everlasting encouragement and good hope of grace is not something subjective, it is a done deal through Christ's work on the cross. He "has given us everlasting consolation and good hope." These are spiritual blessings which are already ours as we look forward to our final deliverance from sin in heaven.
But Paul also prays that the Lord would give us comfort and strength in this life, as we continue to await that day of everlasting consolation. Knowing what God has done for us, we should take comfort in the fact that the trials we face in life, whatever they may be, will come to an end. "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself . . . comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." 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. This was Paul's prayer for the believers in Thessalonica, and it should remain our prayer for one another still today as we continue to face the trials and persecutions which life and Satan throw our way. Let us take comfort in Word of God which is the means God has given to create faith and bring about His salvation in us -- all good reasons for discouraged believers to be thankful!
