“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 (ESV)
Hope For Tomorrow
(author unknown: Reprinted from The Gadsden Times, 6/10/2005, Page B5)
“There’s hope for tomorrow, even when things look dim,
There’s hope for tomorrow when you put your trust in Him.
Though darkness surrounds you, He’s always there,
With arms that will hold you in His loving care.
Just when you thought you had lost everything,
He’s right there beside you, with comfort to bring.
And you’ll know with assurance, He’ll never depart,
For He’s dwelling inside you, right there in your heart.”
Our weaknesses and failures are tools, which the enemy uses to obstruct our spiritual growth. Our failures are personal so we beat ourselves up and allow them to make us gloomy and pessimistic. As a result we become an obstacle to our own hope. And the adversary simply sits back and laughs.
BUT, we are made to be victorious by the encouraging words of our testimonies. We begin claiming God’s promises and speaking the power of the Scripture and something miraculous happens. Enthusiasm returns. Spiritual vitality renews. Spiritual growth occurs. Read our text again. Paul encourages us to encourage ourselves by remembering the eternal comfort and grace of God and by strengthening our hearts through both good words and good activities.
Dear Father, thank you for your mercy and grace that supplies us with eternal hope in Jesus Christ. Thank you for all those who read these words. I pray for them that they might stand firm and be strengthened in hope today. Deliver us all from the tricks of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for the Resurrected Christ and encourage ourselves in hope,