Be Hopeful, Not Helpless
November 6th, 2020(Day 5 in our Election Week 2020 Encouragement series)
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Pastor/author Wayne Mack said, “False hope is based on human ideas of what is pleasurable and desirable. Many people think that their problems will disappear if they can just get what they want …” And he added, “True hope is a biblically-based expectation of good. In other words, it is biblical hope, an expectation based on the promises of God.”
We are never helpless when we are living in and on the truth of God’s Word. And we never have more reason for genuine hope than when we are looking to the Lord Jesus to honor what He has promised us: “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
The Thessalonians were distressed people. And while Paul could commend them for their growth, still many of them were buckling under the persecution and pressures coming from the world around them. Unchecked, this could all lead to irreparable fractures in the church family, as well as between individuals and their families.
If we return to Wayne Mack’s definition of biblical hope, “a biblically based expectation of good…an expectation based on the promises of God,” we can apply it to what we see in Paul’s encouraging prayer for these troubled, weary, and concerned Christians. Pin your hope and expectations on these four assurances about your relationship to God and Christ: 1. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father…” What a gift of grace to know Who we belong to! 2. “…who has loved us…” past-tense—proven, ongoing, selfless, unquenchable, limitless love shown to us at the cross. 3. “…and given us eternal comfort…” God gave you (“beloved by the Lord” v.13) an eternal comfort or encouragement that lasts – it cannot be shaken by anything now or through eternity. 4. “…and good hope by grace.” This is the hope of the Christian given to us by God’s gift of grace—a good hope which serves us now and is based on God’s sovereignty in remaining committed to only and always do what is best (good) for us.
But Paul isn’t finished praying for them. So far, this was all the basis of his prayer and in v.17 he comes to what he is asking God for on their behalf: may God and Jesus “comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” That seems to cover every aspect of our lives.
Comfort and strength are heavenly gifts which we enjoy through faith by remembering and rehearsing God’s truth in our every work and word. Christian, beloved of the Lord, stand on what God has told you and done for you (v.15). This is personal and intended for you as you face the pressures, uncertainties, and the trials of your everyday life. Your heavenly Father is actively caring for you…in everything…always.
Biblical hope is an expectation grounded in the promises of God. What words and works might need an application of fresh faith in your life today? Take yourself and your struggles to your Father, and “do not grow weary of doing good” (3:13). Trust Him. Pray these verses for yourself, and then pray them for others who are also in need of hope.