Good Hope
Today’s Verse:
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, ~2 Thessalonians 2:16
In 2 Thessalonians 1-2, Paul gives us prophetical insight on things to come. He tells us about a faithful removal (the rapture of the Christians and the removal of the Holy Spirit), a false representative (the Antichrist of the Great Tribulation), and a forsaken remnant (people who hear the gospel, reject the opportunity to get saved, and are left behind to go through the Tribulation and never get saved). The unfolding message he gives is sobering and stirring. He knew that the believers would be discouraged and gave them encouragement by telling them about God’s good hope. Let us be encouraged on how good hope is ours to claim as well.
We see a declining situation
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” Paul describes this decline as a falling away or a major spiritual apostasy. Apostasy is having knowledge of revealed truth, but rejecting it and living in sin. Cain is an example of an apostate: someone who was given the truth, but rejected it and lived for himself in sin. Where there is apostasy, there is a falling away from right doctrine, right behavior, moral righteousness, and decent values. The believers were discouraged because of the apostasy they saw.
We see a devoted sympathy
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us….” Paul gave the believers a strong assurance of God’s love for them. The greatest means of overcoming insecurity is by knowing and experiencing love. Paul told them that the Lord Jesus and God the Father loved them. Paul tells us in Romans 8 that “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Nothing shall “separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” John tells us that “perfect love casteth out fear.” There is no love more perfect and more powerful than the love that God has for us.
We see a dependable supply
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope….” We are given an inexhaustible supply of everlasting consolation and good hope. “Good hope” means that what God has promised us, He will fulfill. Good hope is the fact that God is our Helper. It is the fact that God is there with us in our hour of trial. He gives us comfort through good hope. Good hope removes our anxiety and fear. Good hope is God keeping us from falling. Good hope means just that: it is good, and there is nothing bad or unsettling about it.
We see the dynamic source
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.” The means for good hope is God’s grace. Grace continues to work in an abundant way after we are saved. God’s grace is His strength made perfect in our weakness. God’s grace fills our hearts with love. God’s grace is endless in its supply. James says, “He giveth more grace.” The songwriter in his lyrics calls it “marvelous grace” and “wonderful grace.” It enables our faith to hold tightly. It takes the promises of God’s Word and makes them real. Good hope is God’s gift to us when we face adversity, discouragement, and disappointment. It comes one way, and that is through God’s grace. Avail yourself this morning of this good hope through grace, and let your fears be put to rest.
Have a hope-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 119:1-88