"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

This is the Apostle Paul's prayer and encouragement for the church at
Thessalonica and to all the church through the centuries. So let us be
encouraged! For the pressures and stress of the time in which we live seems
to take its toll each day. However, for the Christian who continually looks
to Christ and is led by the Holy Spirit there is comfort, hope and strength
by God's grace to do all that He has called us to do. Therefore, we do not
just endure, but we rejoice always and give thanks in everything'.

Concerning this comfort:
We see in Scripture that God is the comfort giver:
Psalm 86:17, David prays,
"Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it, and be ashamed,
Because Thou, O Lord, hast helped me and comforted me."

In the Book of Isaiah we see:
God speaking in 12:1,
"And in that day you will say,
'O Lord, I will praise You;
Though You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.'"

And in 51:3,
"For the Lord will comfort Zion
He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the Lord..."

The Lord speaking,
"As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you..." 66:13

Then in his greetings to the Corinthian church Paul says,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3

Then these words of Christ give great comfort:
"Do not let your hearts, be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
John 14:1
Then verse 18 says,
"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."
The Amplified Bible says,
"I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn,
helpless]..."
How awesome! How wonderful! How comforting! How kind! How loving! How
gracious! Words can not express our Lord's loving kindness and tender
mercies toward His own. We are blessed beyond measure!

As our opening Scripture assures us we have God's eternal comfort, the
assurance of the word of Christ, and the Holy Spirit who is our 'Comforter,
Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate' who remains with us forever as
seen in John 14:16. All this is given by the grace of God who loves us. This
being so, how can we not, on bended knees, thank our Almighty God, Father,
Son and Spirit, with grateful hearts?!

With one voice let us join with the Psalmist and praise the Lord.
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad." Psalm 105:1-3

How awesome is our God! Amen.