“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father,
who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace …”
(2 Thess. 2:16)
One of the greatest assurances a believer can have is that of the perseverance of God’s work in a human soul. Hannibal Gammon, Westminster Divine, so wonderfully said, “God is not as man, who is mutable in His favors,” (Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6; James 1:17).
Whom God loves, He loves to the end (John 13:1; Hosea 2:19). Whom God forgives, He forgives forever. Whom God accounts righteous in His Son, He accounts him righteous still (Isa. 14:24). If the position we hold in Christ were supported by any source other than God Himself, then we would have reason to doubt its continuance. But since it is the work of God in us, we can be completely “… confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus,” (Phil. 1:6).
“Have you not heard, (Isaiah says) that the everlasting God does not faint, neither is weary?” (Isa. 40:28). Therefore, He will not stop “having mercy on you,” (Isa. 54:8), “pardoning” you (Isa. 55:7), “preserving” you (Ps. 37:28), “dwelling” in you, “comforting” you (John 14:16), “confirming” you, “perfecting” you (2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Cor. 1:8). For these reasons you can fully rest in His “persevering love” for you (Heb. 10:23; Isa. 54:10).
Because God does not change, His covenant of grace is everlasting. His love will never end (Isa. 55:3; Jer. 31:3, 32:40). His gifts and His will are immutable (Rom. 11:29; Num. 23:19; Isa. 46:10). Christ’s redemption, dominion, and intercession is everlasting (John 13:1; 1 Thess. 5:24; John 6:40; Heb. 6:17, 7:25; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:34; John 17:11, 15, 11:42). The Spirit seals our adoption into God’s family, perpetually helping us in our weaknesses and sanctifying us for glory (John 14:16; 1 John 2:27; Rom. 8:16, 26; Eph. 1:13-14, 2:18; 2 Cor. 4:13). This is the foundation on which our position with Christ in God rests. God preserves those who are His.
- Lord, help me stand sure in Your love and the power of Your Son. As Paul says, “Therefore brethren stand fast, and hold fast the traditions which you have been taught,” etc. (2 Thess. 2:15, and as the Apostle says to the Hebrews, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering,” (Heb. 10:23). Help me stand fast and hold strong my faith in You, so that I am not ashamed for You to be called my God.
- Lord, You are my firm foundation. Though the prince of darkness desires to keep me in a hopeless state, I will hold fast to my faith in You and Your Word. I will run from evil and embrace that which is good in Christ by the power of Your Spirit.
- Lord Jesus, You are my Hope. You, O Lord, are my Rock and consolation in grace (Phil. 2:1; 2 Thess. 2:16-17). Even when I face ongoing difficulties in life, You, Lord Jesus, offer me abounding comforts.You uphold me by Your power, You strengthen me by Your blessed forgiveness, grace and consolations as they super-abound to me.
Further References for 2 Thess. 2:16
1 Thess. 3:11; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:16; Rev. 1:5; Rom. 1:7; Eph. 2:5
