2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
Heavenly Father, what a great Scripture. You are crazy-good to us—irrepressibly kind and incessantly faithful. Thank you for the “eternal encouragement” and “good hope” you’ve already given us in Jesus. There’s zero doubt about where history is going, or how awesome our forever is going to be.
No eye has seen, ear heard, or mind imagined the things stored up for us in heaven. You love us today as much as you’ll love us in that Day. In fact, you love us right now as much as you love Jesus, for you have hidden our lives in him. The saints in heaven are more joyful and whole than us, but not one bit more secure or beloved. This is awesomeness.
17 encourage your hearts
It’s precisely because we have eternal encouragement that we unabashedly look to you for fresh encouragement. Some of us are experiencing hurricanes or heartaches, relational messes or difficult transitions, unexpected disappointments or long-standing illnesses.
So, with palms us, we make ourselves subjects of Paul’s prayer in this text. Indeed, encourage our hearts, as you alone can, Father. By your Holy Spirit, assure us that you are aware and care, on the scene and at work. Forgive us when we think otherwise.
and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Yes, and strengthen us to move forward, Father. It’s not like life’s other responsibilities stop when we are in crisis or semi-crisis mode. Give us power to do the next right gospel thing, and fill our hearts and mouths with your grace. Help us to worship more than we worry, bless more than we curse, and rest more than we resent. Forgive us for trying to be self-sufficient, Father. Free us to share our burdens and load with others. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.
