Comfort and Hope

 Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; II Thessalonians 2:13-17

David in Psalm 145 praises the Lord for God’s unsearchable greatness. He tells how each generation will share God’s mighty works and acts to the following one and so on. David is comforted by the knowledge that the Lord is just in all God’s ways and kind in all God’s doings. He is confident that the Lord is near all who call on God fulfilling the desires of those who respect God. He talks about how the Lord watches over all who love God. The Lord is said to not only hear their cry but to save them.

This faith in the greatness of God and the Lord’s protection of us comes down to us from generation to generation and in II Thessalonians we are told to stand firm and hold fast the traditions that have been taught us. Paul is writing to the first Christians after Jesus resurrection, calling them the first fruits for salvation by the Spirit and belief in the truth. They have been called through the gospel to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is apparent in this passage that these new believers were suffering severe persecution which may have caused serious doubt, so Paul writes to secure their faith. This is shown in the prayer expressed here that God and Jesus who loved us and through grace which is the active presence and power of God in our lives has given us eternal comfort. This comfort speaks of everlasting life in heaven after we die. They also have good, not false, hope. Both of these are to comfort their hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Comfort and hope in what they have been taught and believed repeats the comfort David expresses in his Psalm in how God hears our cries and will save us. Thessalonians tells how this hope and comfort will strengthen them as they continue to do the good work of the Lord and live out God’s word. Instead of doing nothing and doubting God’s presence in the midst of persecution this prayer of comfort and hope is to keep them going as they continue to fulfill their calling to obtain the glory of Christ – to live up to the divine image they were created to be.

May we find comfort and hope like David and Paul did during the times of trouble in our own lives. May we be strengthened to carry out our calling to live up to the image of Christ. Amen.

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