Forward Day by Day

FRIDAY, December 12

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Jesus offers comfort to the congregation of the synagogue in Nazareth when he reads from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (61:1-2). These are comforting words, and Jesus declares Isaiah’s prophecy to be fulfilled that day. The Messiah comes with healing, good news, and hope to comfort us.

But God’s comfort does not just make us comfortable. The origin of our word comfort is from “strengthen,” and this meaning is appropriate for the comfort that Christ brings. Our Lord does soothe and heal us, but he also strengthens us to witness, serve, risk, defend, advocate, and sacrifice in heroic ways. God’s comforting may lead us into some uncomfortable situations but gives us strength to face what comes.

PRAY for the Diocese of Kitale (Kenya)

Ps 31 * 35; Isaiah 7:10-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13—3:5; Luke 22:14-30

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