Benediction of Hope
2 Thessalonians 2
Benediction of Hope, 2 Thessalonians 2. As we witness the world crumble around us and lawlessness seems to abound on every side, this benediction is especially comforting.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ
himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given
us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your
hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
II Thessalonians 2:16,17, KJV
Benediction of Hope
2 Thessalonians 2
As the Apostle Paul concludes the book of 2 Thessalonians, he reminds Christians of the end times when the "man of sin" will be revealed, and admonishes them:
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. The chapter then ends with this lovely benediction.
As
we witness the world crumble around us and lawlessness seems to abound
on every side, this benediction is especially comforting. We need not
fear or be overcome by the delusions of this age because we have everlasting consolation and good hope through grace given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ and God, our Father.
He
not only gives us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
He also comforts our hearts, and He establishes us in every good word
and work. Just think about that!
If this is true, why is it that we Christians often seem so glum and filled with discouragement and even depression? As believers, God often sends great difficulties into our lives. These difficulties can almost overwhelm us as times. Why do you think God allows believers to suffer such difficulties?
God, in His great love, while allowing us to suffer, will not let that suffering overwhelm us completely. Through such times as this, we learn to draw near to God. For when everything else seems to fail, we are reminded of His great love and grace offered to us, His children. As we draw near to Him, we are reminded again of His dear love to us. We have been bought with the price of the blood of God's own dear sin. His love will never forsake us. When we cry out to him in our troubled days, we will find Him there. Indeed, He always was there!
The
trouble comes when we look to ourselves or others around us for comfort
and hope. Yet, what hope can one man give to another; each is caught in
the same web! Let us, this day, lift up our eyes to the Lord
Jesus Christ who granted us a salvation full and complete, and who
never leaves us nor forsakes us until the day we enter that eternal
kingdom!
That should put a smile on your face and a spring in your step as you go about the duties of this day!
Now
our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath
loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope
through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
II Thessalonians 2:16,17
Go to this dear Lord Jesus Christ and to God our Father and receive grace and comfort as you are established in every good word and work.
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