Day 3 Advent Devotional | December 6th
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“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.”
Paul wrote this in his letter to the church of Thessalonica to encourage them. It has also been an encouragement to me. With all the trials Melissa and I have been facing, sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Is God disappointed in me? Is God angry with me?
Every time I sin I fail him. I don’t deserve his love or blessings. I struggle with anger. Anger about things that happened in my past. I’m frustrated with things happening now. I don’t like the person I can become. Sometimes I get impatient with Melissa. Afterwards, I feel convicted about not being as patient as I should be. Every time I sin, I make that sin my path at that moment and choose that over God. I apologize to Melissa and feel like a failure. Often I tell her I’m not a good husband or Christian. But Melissa encourages me by saying that I am. She builds me up. I don’t deserve her or God’s love.
How can Jesus still be with me and why? This verse shows that our trials are timeless. The Church of Thessalonica was going through a rough time. As Christians, we aren’t promised an easy walk. But our Lord loves us and has given us comfort and hope by grace for eternity. We can see here that it will all be worth it in the end.
Prayer: LORD, you are my Father, my King and my strength. I am not worthy of your sacrifice and love. Please forgive me for all the ways I fail You. Please grow in my heart and help me to give every part of my life to you. You are my comfort and the only hope I have for peace. When times are dark and I feel alone, remind me to turn to You in prayer and to listen to your voice. It is a blessing knowing you are always there for me. Amen.