Through His Grace

2 Thessalonians 2:16

“… God loved us, and through his grace he gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever” (ncv).

Paul knew that the Thessalonians, the Christians who lived in that town, Thessalonica, would face pressure from persecutions, false teachers, worldliness, and lose interest and stray from the truth and to leave the faith. Paul urged the young Christians to “stand strong” and hold on to the truth they had been taught both through his letters and in person. Paul founded the Thessalonian church on his second missionary journey, he had his fruitful ministry, but he was forced to leave because of intense Jewish hostility.

Paul’s words of encouragement touched my heart from 2 Thess. 2:13-17 ncv “Brothers and sisters, whom the Lord loves, God chose you from the beginning to be saved. So we must always thank God for you. You are saved by the Spirit that makes you holy and by your faith in the truth. God used the Good News that we preached to call you to be saved so you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, brothers and sisters stand strong and continue to believe the teachings we gave you in our speaking and in our letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us, and through his grace he gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever.”

We also may face persecution, false teachings, worldliness, and might lose interest in God’s word. Reading this devotion reminds us that we should hold on to the truth of Christ’s teachings because our life depends on it. We should never forget the reality of Christ’s life and love. His agony on the cross was so very great. What would keep me in touch with Him? A song with inspiration words, “Lead Me to Calvary.”

Song: Lead Me to Calvary

1. King of my life I crown Thee now,

Thine shall the glory be;

Lest (if) I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,

Lead me to Calvary.

Chorus:

Lest (if) I forget Gethsemane;

Lest (if) I forget Thine Agony;

Lest (if) I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary.

(Lyrics: Jennie Evelyn Hussey, Sing His Praise)

Let’s trust God today!

Dorothy