Oct 27 2024

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

In this verse from 2 Thessalonians, Paul explains that the Lord is faithful, will establish us, and will keep us from evil. Sometimes the burden of sin can seem overwhelming. It's impossible to live a perfect life when we are surrounded by so much wrong. However, this verse gives us confidence and God's assurance. Let's think about what it means and how it applies to our lives.

Paul emphasizes that the Lord is faithful. Even when we struggle to serve Him, He is strong and mighty in His commitments to us. He will not let us down or hurt us. Even if we are a disappointment to Him, He responds with love and grace.

To be established in the Lord means to be firmly and eternally in His kingdom—established as official members. When we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are no longer established in a sinful world, but in a perfect and holy place.

The Lord will keep us from evil. This means He will give us the power to resist any temptation that comes our way. He will be faithful in His protection of us.

Today, whatever you are facing, remember this verse and be strengthened by its truths. The Lord is faithful, and we can depend upon Him in every circumstance. We know Him and can trust Him always.

Dear Lord, thank you for your great faithfulness to me. Thank you for keeping me from sin and for the covering of Jesus' righteous blood. I love you, and I'm so grateful for the mercies upon mercies that you have given me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Oct 26 2024

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. :

In this verse from Romans, Paul writes that we can have peace with God. Do you ever pause and reflect on this miracle? Today, we'll think about what it means for us to have peace with God and the price that Jesus paid so we could have it.

Peace with God means there is no enmity between us and the Lord. He is not looking down on us with displeasure or waiting for us to earn His favor. He's not keeping count of our sins against Him or blaming us for our wrongdoings. Instead, He sees us with a benevolent eye. He loves us and knows us intimately. He speaks to us in His word and in prayer. We have peace with Him.

It's important to remember, though, that peace with God is only possible because of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus there was no way for us to get rid of our sin or even to stop sinning—it is too ingrained in our human nature for us to stop.

That is why Jesus came to Earth as a man and lived a perfect, sinless life. He was the final, perfect sacrifice that atoned for all our sins once and for all. Jesus took away the sin in our lives and made us clean… and in doing so, he made it possible for us to have peace with God.

This is why Paul says that we are justified by faith. It is faith in Jesus and in the cleansing power of His death that justifies us—it takes our sin away. When we call out to the Lord, He will answer us. He will justify us and give us peace with Him that is everlasting.

Dear Lord, thank you for the peace that I have with you. Thank you for not looking at my sin and casting me away, but instead seeing me and letting me know that you love me and care for me. Thank you for your infinite goodness to me. In Jesus' name, amen.