March 29 – 2 Thessalonians 2

March 29 – 2 Thessalonians 2

Lesson: He Restrains

Dear Lord, bless our time with you today.  Meet us where we are at, guide our minds, and hold our hearts as we search for Your truth.

First, do your own quiet time with God and 4R journaling.  When you are complete, come back here for the lesson.

Request Gods’ help

Read 2 Thessalonians 2

Record a verse that stands out to you

Respond to God

You know, this lesson took me forever to write. And at first I had it near the beginning of the study because I had in my head that this ministry of restrain was to restrain something within us.  And really, I guess in a way that’s true. But as I finally wrote this lesson it was just after a horrible, awful event here in the mid-autumn of Maine.  And we could question where God was in that moment and why He would let something so incredibly evil happen.  And then it hit me; the Spirit revealed it!  That’s what the Holy Spirit does, He restrains the evil!!!!!

The Holy Spirit isn’t just there to work in and through us, He is there as the wall, the force that keeps satan and the anti-christ (we will call them the bad guys from here on out for ease) from arriving before their appointed time.  And that appointed time is set by God Himself.  One day His grace and mercy will end as shown in Genesis 6:3, the Spirit said He would not contend with evil men forever.  But until that day… He is keeping the bad guys at bay.

It goes to reason that the bad guys don’t just sit back and say, ‘Oh my, I think I’m not ready to destroy and devour any who I can as I pace to and fro across the land. I will just sit back and wait patiently.’  Nooo… they are not patient and they are seeking to devour any they cross paths with.  They are foaming at the bit to be released and wreak havoc on God’s creation.  But no matter how clever, cunning and strong they are, and they are that, they’re no match for our God!  The Spirit is raging war, His shield is up and He surrounds them.  His force field is impenetrable.

Just as in Galatians 4:4, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

The God who held back the revealing of Christ, that very God is restraining satan so that all have a chance to know Him and make a choice.  He will hold evil back until the last person of His calling is redeemed.  What side of that are you on?

You are not alone. God is with you in Spirit.  Right there with you.  Under the rubble of disaster.  In front of you in the spray of bullets.  Beside you in the raging sea.  Within you in your depression.  Surrounding you in the storm.  You. Are. Not. Alone.

Our time together in this study has come to an end, we have enjoyed your fellowship immensely and cherished our time with you.  May you in this Easter season be reminded that the Holy Spirit has come upon you like a never fading fire. Burn brightly, oh child of God, and walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for You are the more powerful than the most powerful evil. You are our Great Defender.  You have crushed death and won the war!! We praise You!  We fall on our faces in praise and honor.  To You be all glory, all power, all praise… forever and ever!!!

(Further reading: 1 John 4:1-6; 1 John 2:18; Genesis 6:3; John 16:8-10; Acts 7:51 )

What’s next?

As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.