Gracious Gift

My devotions went as far as my "Pauline prayer" for the morning. I couldn't get past 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17:

"Now may the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

Paul makes a request, but begins it by stating an already proven truth that validates his request. (I cannot help but begin in praise for the ability to have such confidence in our God!) The initial truth is that Christ and our Father (commentaries explain the verb usage to reveal a unification establishing equality of the Persons) has done two things: 1) loved us, and 2) by grace has given us unending comfort (encouragement) in our present struggles and good (beneficial) hope through the promise of eternity with a victorious Savior.

On the basis of these gifts, Paul can confidently ask his two-fold request: 1) that this same Giver would comfort the hearts of the Thessalonians who had misunderstood through false teaching and become fearful regarding the Day of the Lord (2:1-3), and 2) that He would establish (strengthen) them both in what they spoke (gospel sharing: defense and confirmation of the gospel), and in what they did (gospel living: doing all to the glory of God).

While these two short verses are packed with incredible truths, I was most encouraged by the little phrase "by grace" at the end of verse 16. This is a prayer that is only possible through God's grace. I have no present encouragement, no future hope, no comfort or strength to live and speak as I should without His enabling grace. What praise can I render for such an indescribable gift? I believe He will be most honored if I will respond wholeheartedly to it.