Today’s devotion comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
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Consider that the confidence is not in man. But rather, the confidence is in the Lord.
The confidence is in the word of the Lord that it will spread rapidly and be glorified. Verse 1.
“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.
The confidence is in God Who will rescue us from perverse and evil men. Verse 2.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18.
The confidence is in the Lord, because He is faithful. He will strengthen and protect us from the evil one. Verse 3.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
The confidence is in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. Verse 4.
“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.
The confidence is in the Lord to direct our hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. Verse 5.
“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 12:1.
“O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:12.
“5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 