"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 2:16-17
This is a powerful statement. It is concise; to the point. It establishes a hope and a wish from the Apostle Paul to all who believe in Jesus.
We find that there is eternal comfort and good hope for us and it comes through the grace of God. It comforts our hearts and keeps us motivated towards every good thing we do and standing in every good word that we speak or hear.
I love the way the King James Version translates some of this: Instead of eternal comfort, it says eternal consolation, meaning comfort and solace (peace in times of sadness or loss). God’s comfort is more than just a “feels good, warm and fuzzy blanket”. He touches our hearts and souls when we have nothing left. God is very close to the brokenhearted. It’s no wonder that we find ourselves able to reach out to others with the love of God and bring comfort to them in the very way we have received comfort. You see, salvation is more than just going to Heaven and not to Hell. It is the relationship we have with God that brings us through the darkest seasons of life and celebrates the “mountain top” experiences. He is constant; ever surrounding.
What an incredible gift of grace!
Remember, all of this comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, and God the Father! And why? Because He is love!
Jesus loves you....rest in that.