Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

Today we are memorizing 2 Thessalonians 2:16 and 17…

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.

Here is the amplified version…

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and encouragement and the good [well-founded] hope [of salvation] by His grace, comfort and encourage and strengthen your hearts [keeping them steadfast and on course] in every good work and word.

God has given us two wonderful gifts…

~eternal comfort: eternal means whatever we may face in this life will pass - our comfort is here to stay. All of our present pains, sufferings, difficult situations are temporary…our future glory will be forever!

~ good hope: His Word gives us hope! We have certainty that what God promises in His Word is true.  It is good because it is beneficial to us morally and practically.

Paul then adds the words, “through grace.” We have grace because we are the objects of God’s love and receivers of comfort and hope.  It is by His grace and never something we deserve, no matter how faithful we may be. Think upon this…it is by His amazing grace that saved us, that keeps us, and it is by this grace that we will enter into God’s presence eternally.  Such an encouragement for our hearts-!  We are comforted!

But remember, as His loved ones, we are to  “keep (our hearts) steadfast and on course in every good work and word.”  Work and word…these are the essential two parts of a believer’s life…our work, which is our walk, and our words. Our lives should reflect Jesus’ character.  A believer must continuously think upon the truth of God’s Word and hold firmly to the teaching of His Word.

“Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Our world needs a Savior and our lives should reflect His nature so much so that others will desire to know Him.

Father, thank you for your amazing comfort and hope, not only for today, but for eternity promised. Thank you for the grace that You have bestowed upon us, though undeserving.  With the strength of the Holy Spirit, guide our entire being, our thoughts, our emotions, and our actions, both in words and deeds, in a way that pleases You and glorifies Your Son.   We desire to keep our hearts and mind on Jesus, Your Son, our Savior, and Your Word.

Have a blessed and precious day everyone!