“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Living in a world with all the challenges and difficulties can cause one to lose heart. When this comes upon us, we need to afresh look to our Lord Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2a,3) When we consider Jesus, we are reminded of His grace to us. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Accepting the gift of grace, God provides encouragement for us through His love and His hope. This encouragement will be with us for eternity because His grace brings us forgiveness and eternal life.

This encouragement is also to bring us the strength we need to face everyday challenges. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John16:33) In Jesus’ overcoming the world, which was accomplished as Jesus rose from the dead, He brings peace to our hearts. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) His encouragement will not only bring peace, but also hope. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)

Paul reminds us that we find this encouragement in our obedience through our work and our words. “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) God encourages our hearts as we engage in the work which Jesus has given us. He commissioned us to make disciples by taking the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. All the time we are to show the world the love of God by which He sent Jesus. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

When we are actively making disciples, God, through our obedience, is actively bringing encouragement and strength into our hearts. Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) Our blessings come as we see God at work in our lives and in the lives of the people whom God is drawing to Himself through us.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block