Stand Firm

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Scripture 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 (NLT)

15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Devotion:

            These words from the Apostle Paul should give us hope and courage for our day. The church to which he was writing was under assault by a hostile culture. They were doing well to hold onto the teachings that Paul and his companions had taught them. Paul encourages them to stand firm on the teaching they had received from him both in person and by his previous letter to the church at Thessalonica. Both 1st Thessalonians and this letter are some of the oldest letters we have preserved from Paul.

            We should take note of this encouragement from Paul because our culture is increasingly hostile to the church. Indeed, it seems that 2,000 years have passed us by as a church and the culture still takes exception to our teachings. We need to have these words of encouragement and comfort brought again to help us remain steadfast in our faith, be courageous in our teaching and preaching of the word.

            So, let us read and hold onto these words. Let us take courage even as the culture seems to be slipping more and more in an anti-God, anti-Christian direction that it is the people who keep the faith and live for Christ who will be victorious in the end. Just as this church faced a culture that was under a strong delusion from Satan, so the church today is facing a culture that is more and more under the control of the Evil One. Let us not fall into the world's delusion. Rather let us be bold and strong in our faith. We know that ultimately the victory is ours.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father we praise you because we know that despite all evidence to the contrary you are in control of all that happens in this world. We give you all our praise and our thanksgiving for your protection and love for us. We especially thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ. The one who came to give us life. Help us rely on Your strength as we face a culture in decline. Keep us safe in your care each and every day. Amen.

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