2 Thessalonians 2; Isaiah 27-28; Psalm 118

“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.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV) 

One of the concerns the Thessalonians had was that Jesus had returned and they’d missed Him. False teaching,or perhaps mistaken teaching might be a gentler word, was floating around that Jesus had already come. Imagine how disheartening this could be to people who had endured persecution with such patience. They’d gone through all of this and Jesus came back and forgot about them. Paul began by letting them know that they wouldn’t be forgotten, and that when it was time for Jesus to come back, it would be obvious. They wouldn’t miss it and He wouldn’t forget them. He closed this section with a prayer for God’s presence and comfort in their lives and that He would establish their every good work. 

It’s important to remember that when trust in God for all areas of our lives, not only do we have salvation, not only do we have the promise of heaven, not only do we have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, and not only are our sins forgiven, He guides us in doing good things. We don’t earn our relationship with God by doing good things, but once we’ve accepted His grace and forgiveness, He guides us to do good things. Let’s be honest: Christians should be a blessing to the world as we minister to others and do good works that help people in difficult times. Our work, our ministry should be established by God to make a difference in the lives of others. We have been blessed by God with the message of salvation; we’ve been blessed by God with the power to do good in this world and draw people to the love of God. Let’s make our service to God our main function in a world that needs to know His love and grace.

Oh Lord, I’m grateful that You’re returning some time in the future. I pray for the end of evil in this world. In the meanwhile, let me serve You and be a blessing to a world that needs to know Your love and presence as I do those things You’ve prepared for me.