April 21. 2 Thessalonians 2. Angela Stuck

Stand Firm!

How often do you think about the day our Lord Jesus Christ will gather us to him (v. 1)? Satan doesn’t want us to be included in the gathering. He is doing everything he can to alarm, unsettle, and distract us from standing firm with Christ.

I want to do everything I can to stand firm and not fall into any traps Satan might throw my way. Although Satan does have power - a power that feeds his lie, and deceives people - that power is limited. Satan's tactics have never changed, they are the same for all time. At the time 2 Thessalonians was written, the Christians were being fed the lie that “the day of the Lord” had already come (v. 2). This was alarming them and discouraging them. Satan feeds us information today that alarms and discourages us - about many topics. One day, God will reveal Satan and he will overthrow him with the breath of his mouth (v. 8)! What a powerful image that is. What an amazing God we serve, and who loves us!

The key is to love the truth (v. 10). When we love the truth, and we are reading God’s word, applying God’s word, it helps us to see through deceptions, it helps us to see Satan’s hand at work and not fall into his trap. It helps ground us (Matthew 7:24). It helps us to not get stirred up and feed our emotions. It is so easy to have a “superficial Christianity”, one that is skin deep. One that thinks I can get by with a five minute “quiet time”, read a section of scripture and a small devotional and then rush through a quick prayer and think I’m equipped to face the craftiness of the devil. It will take more than that to stand firm and hold fast to the teachings (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

God chose us from the beginning (v. 13). We are called through God’s word, through His Holy Spirit. We are called to share this good news with the world. Naturally Satan wants to hinder us. I’m so grateful that I have a God who is all powerful, who loves me and wants to encourage me eternally and give me hope, strengthening me as I face each day (v. 16). Through God, we can all STAND FIRM!