May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who
loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thess. 2.16,17
These words are reflective of a similar prayer in Paul’s
first letter to the church at Thessalonica. It is interesting how God gets His
message across to us, repeating where necessary – though maybe in slightly
different words. I believe when God really wants us to get hold of His truth He
makes it absolutely clear to us. The feeding of the five thousand is found in
all three synoptic gospels as well as in John’s writing. God’s message here is
abundantly clear to me. He is saying: “I will feed you. You need look nowhere
else. Come to me and allow me to nurture and sustain you. Know that I am the
one. Indeed, I am the only one who can give you the food that you really need.”
Likewise, for me, with these present verses! I recall
several times when I have felt the need to talk over a situation or a state of
mind with someone. Sometimes I may be looking for direction. At other times I
might be needing encouragement. On such occasions I have considered who I might
turn to. Some come to mind, then I think ‘They wouldn’t really understand’ or
‘I couldn’t tell them just how I feel’. Of others I might think, ‘No, I’ll end
up ministering to them.’ These thoughts are neither conceited nor
condescending. But rather, I feel, the truth of the situation. There is nothing
so special or different about me that others can’t help, for there have been
many times and instances of others helping and blessing me. I feel like I am
still in the process of God growing me in the grace to allow others to minister
to me and bless me.
But when these special times arise and I truly see no human
resource that is suitable, I receive this constant reminder from God; “I am
your source. I am your shield and your strength. I am the rock on which you
stand, your very help in time of need. So, come to me. Do not delay. I’m
waiting for you.”
It’s not as if others wouldn’t understand or couldn’t help.
Indeed, there is likely much good they could do for me. But God is reminding me
of the special place He has assumed
in my life. Yes, this is His action.
He has put Himself in place to be my first port of call. He wants me to turn first to Him. Indeed, He delights in
this.
And these words from Paul reinforce this for me today.
Paul’s use of the reflexive pronoun is emphatic. Jesus Himself is there to give me encouragement. My Father, God, has
given me eternal encouragement. I see this so clearly encapsulated in John
3.16. The Father and the Son, and dare I say working in harmony and unity with
the Holy Spirit, will encourage me in any and every situation, and will
strengthen me in every good deed and word.
Holy Father, Righteous
God,
I ask You to forgive
me for those times when I look for other humans to aid me, when all the time
You are ready to minister to my every
need. It’s not that I don’t need others, but my answers, healing and direction
will only come from You.
I thank You that You
use others to speak to me. I pray that You will continue to do so. But I pray always that what I hear from them will
be Your word for me and not theirs.
I thank You also for
Your boundless grace that allows me to come to You. I know I am not worthy, yet
You receive me through Christ. Thank You, Jesus, for what You’ve done for me,
and for all that You continue to do.
I pray also to the
Holy Spirit, the presence of God here on earth, and here with me as God’s
comforter and strength. Gracious Holy Spirit, I surrender myself into Your
keeping. I ask You to guide me into all truth. May every deed and word of mine
be good in the eyes of my Lord God. Let me hear clearly whatever You would have
to tell me. Let me be willing to go where You lead and to do what You show me.
Gracious loving triune
God, I love You. Father, Son, and Spirit, I am devoted to You. May I be who You
want me to be. May I live in the fullness of who I am in You. Be my strength
and shield, comforter and guide, lover and friend.
Lead me forward in
Your ways. Correct me please when it is needed. May my life be a sweet aroma to
You. Take me on, in love,
In Jesus’
Name I ask.
Amen.
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