In yesterday’s Holy Lists post (2 Thessalonians 2.13-15), we saw two hard instructions for believers, given as appropriate thankful responses to the great miracle of salvation offered them by God.  “Stand firm” and “Hold to the traditions that you were taught” may sound easy enough, but Old Testament biblical history from the Wilderness through Judges and the Kings to the fall of Israel and Judah show that even believers’ hearts are prone to wander.  Many of Paul’s letters in the New Testament warn of creeping heresy and distortion of the true gospel.

Knowing that holding to the truth is hard, and knowing that “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17.9), Paul asks God for further help for his friends:

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave his eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2.16-17)

This short prayer acknowledges past history – that Jesus Christ loved us so much he gave eternal comfort and hope through his act of grace on the cross.  Then Paul asks God for more, to –right now – comfort and establish the believers’ hearts in every good work and word.  Only God’s touch on our hearts will allow us to faithfully follow.

Normally a doxology discussion would fall into a Group Prayer category, but the placement of this one makes it a Fear and Awe topic. It is amazing that God can (and will) do all that Paul asks.  It is also amazing that God would inspire Paul to ask for the help needed right after the command is issued.  It is even more amazing that we believers can understand; give thanks for the help requested and given; and get back up to stand firm every time we fall down.  Awesome.