“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.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:16)
There is no comfort in the love, favor, or goodwill from one who is inconsistent or unstable. But as Paul assures us, we can rest in the “everlasting consolation and good hope” given us by our loving Heavenly Father because His gifts, like Himself, are unchanging and trustworthy.
Moreover, God’s purposes are not shaken by time nor His mercies worn thin by our weaknesses. The Lord declares, “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6), and so the believer’s confidence does not rest in his own perseverance but in the faithfulness of God. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
This is the unwavering assurance of all who are in Christ: what God begins, He completes. His gifts are without repentance (Romans 11:29), and His covenant of grace is everlasting. Those whom He pardons, He never re-condemns. Those whom He receives, He never casts out (John 6:37). The Son of God, once given, remains the anchor of our hope. He is the high priest who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), and He does not lose those for whom He prays (John 17:11–12).
Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, has given us “everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.” So may “the Father of all mercy, and God of all consolation, strengthen us with his grace, that we may taste of Christ.”[1]
Rest assured, these are not temporary comforts nor hopes born of circumstances for they are rooted in the unshakable promises of a God who cannot lie and will not change. In addition, His Spirit who indwells us testifies to our adoption, sanctifies us daily, and seals our standing with the Father. His sealing cannot be undone. His indwelling is not temporary. And His work in us is sure.
So let the believer take courage, not in himself, but in the steadfast love of the Lord. He who called us will keep us. He who justifies us will glorify us. The faith He has granted will be preserved. Our foundation is Christ, and He will not fail.
Contemplations:
- Lord, I find rest in Your unwavering love. I thank You that Your favor is not like man’s, rising and falling with emotion or merit, but is rooted in Your own eternal will. You love with an everlasting love, and You have drawn me with cords of mercy. I need not fear abandonment, for You do not grow weary, and Your mercy endures forever.
- Lord, I trust in Your power to preserve. I see my weakness daily. I know how frail I am. But You are strong. You hold me fast when I falter. You guard my soul from ruin. When trials rise or temptations press, I remember that it is not my hold on You, but Your grip on me that keeps me. And You will complete what You began.
- Lord Jesus, I rejoice that You intercede for me. You prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. And You pray for me still. In Your high priestly office, You represent me before the Father, not just once but forever. Your intercession is my anchor. I rest in knowing that none can condemn me while You are pleading for me at the right hand of God.
- Holy Spirit, I depend on Your inward work. You are the seal of my salvation and the breath of life within. You do not forsake the soul You indwell. You convict, comfort, sanctify, and strengthen, and Your indwelling presence bears witness that I am a child of God. I yield to You again today; lead me in the path of life.
Prayer (Supplication):
Our gracious God and Father who loves us with an everlasting love and gives us good hope through grace, we come in humble supplication. We are frail, forgetful, and often discouraged by the weight of this world. Yet You remain the same. You do not grow weary. You do not faint. And You do not forsake the work of Your hands.
O Lord, keep us firm in Your love. Let us not lose faith, but strengthen our hearts to hold fast to Christ, our hope and our salvation. You teach us through Your Word to cling to the truth, to resist every lie, and to treasure the grace given through Jesus Christ. Grant us steadfastness in that truth, and guard us from the spirit of the age which would steal our peace and distract our hearts.
We ask that You deepen our assurance in Your eternal covenant. Remind us that You are the God who began the good work, and You will perfect it until the day of Christ. You preserve Your people in mercy. You sustain them in trial. You confirm them to the end, blameless in the day of Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, grant us strength in the inner man. Uphold us by the power of Your Spirit, that we may stand firm when tempted, rejoice when afflicted, and walk uprightly even when surrounded by darkness for You are our Rock, our Fortress, and our Deliverer. Let Your consolations be abundant within us, especially when we mourn or suffer loss. When the enemy accuses, silence him with the voice of Your intercession. When our hearts condemn us, remind us that You are greater than our hearts.
Holy Spirit, indwelling Comforter, fill us afresh. Quicken our dull affections. Kindle in us holy fire. Guide us in all truth. Cause us to walk in obedience, to mortify sin, and to long for holiness. Teach us to fix our eyes on Christ and to live with eternity in view.
Lord, do not let us be moved. Keep us as the apple of Your eye. Let Your Word dwell richly in us. Let Your promises be our strength. Let Your grace be sufficient. And when we falter, lift us again by Your right hand.
Preserve us, O Lord, and keep us to the end because You are faithful. Finish the work You have begun in us. Uphold Your covenant, and make us ready for the day of glory.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for 2 Thessalonians 2:16:
1 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:16; Revelation 1:5; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:5.
[1] Edward Dering, A Sermon Preached at the Tower of London, by M. Dering the Xi. Day of December. 1569, Early English Books Online (Imprinted at London: By John Day, dwelling over Aldersgate, 1569).
