Wednesday 15th October
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:15
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (NIVUK)
One way to read Paul’s encouragement to stand firm and hold fast to the teachings asks the hearers to diligently remember the gospel and not be shifted from it by any rumours or new ideas (like Jesus’ return…).
Another way to read Paul’s words is in hopeful expectation. Their suffering may get worse before it gets better. But it will ultimately get better. Isaiah comforts the people of God in similar language when promising them the Lord would come some day also.
“Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
‘Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.’” (Isaiah 35:3-4) (NIVUK)
‘Strengthened hands’ and ‘steady knees’ (v3) are simply another way of ‘holding fast’ and ‘standing firm’. Encourage one another that God will come. He will come in judgement and salvation. Paul’s entire letter is neatly summarised in Isaiah’s prophetic and poetic words.
