“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 AMPC
Grace Perspective:
In this chapter of Scripture, Paul addresses the fears of believers who thought they were experiencing the Great Tribulation and had missed the Rapture (when Christ takes believers from the earth to be with Him). The believers needed to be encouraged with the truth that they hadn’t missed the Rapture. Also, they needed a reminder to share the gospel of grace with the unbelieving world. We need the same encouragement!
In this passage, the word encourages means, “to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix, to strengthen, make firm, to render constant, confirm, one’s mind.”[i] We have this encouragement because of Christ and His steadfast love. In Him, we have well-founded and eternal comfort, hope, and strength to endure the difficulties in life.
The Word of God helps us remain stable or firm when the world around us is confusing and chaotic. When we feel off-kilter or out of sorts, we need reminding of what is true, so we aren’t taken in by lies that cause doubt and fear. These verses remind us that our Savior, Jesus Christ, loves us, and in Him, we have comfort and strength, that our hope is in Him, and is well-founded because we have proof of His everlasting love.
We need this gracious encouragement to remain firm and committed to do the work Christ assigned us to do until He takes us home to be with Him. So, until He comes or takes us home, may you remain in the Word, so you are strengthened and encouraged to stay steadfast.
A Touch of Grace:
What discourages you?
What encourages you?
Grace Application:
Has life been a little crazy for you? Umm…Covid19 certainly caught me off guard, not to mention the chaos that has followed. The current instability in the world has certainly made me feel off balance. That’s why I run to the Bible for encouragement and am blessed to have family and friends who support me when I’m floundering.
We need encouragement because life often makes us feel unstable and out of sorts. Where we turn for it is crucial. If we seek stability in what the world offers, we may find ourselves confused and conflicted. God’s Word anchors our soul to Christ, who has given us everlasting comfort and secured our hope with His steadfast love. When we live with the steady courage that His love gives us, we have the strength to do the work He gives us and speak words of truth that encourage others to continue to serve Him until we are with Him in Heaven. Today, who can you encourage to remain steady in their faith?
Prayer:
Gracious Father, You are my consolation and encouragement. Your Word reminds me of Your steadfast love that gives me strength. Help me to encourage others to remember that Jesus is the anchor of our soul. As the world continues to be chaotic and unstable, help me remain faithful to do the work You planned for me to do and speak gracious words that encourage weary hearts. May I remain faithful until we are gathered together in heaven. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
[i] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4741&t=NASB
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for certain you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubt, please call out to God so all doubt may be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**