Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”   2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. 

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Comfort is the theme of today’s devotion.  We see the word “comfort” twice in today’s Scripture which lead us to meditate on the “eternal comfort” in verse 16 and the “comfort’ which strengthens our hearts for every good work and word in verse 17.

First, we are reminded how much more important eternal comfort is than earthly comfort.  The Thessalonians knew, and many others through history also knew, that they could not rely on having earthly comfort throughout their lives.  For example, in 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, we read that the Thessalonians experienced persecution, suffering, and affliction.  In any event, we all know too well how temporary, and sometimes fleeting, earthly comfort is.   

But, Paul kept reminding them, and us today, of the eternal comfort that we will experience.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. 

Second, we read that one of the purposes of comfort is to strengthen our hearts for every good work and word.  

How comforting it is to know and meditate on God’s work within us!

How strengthening such comfort is to do every good work and word!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;  constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;  for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;  just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”  1 Thessalonians 1:2-5.