Enlarge Your Hope

Date: Friday, November 14, 2025

Readings: 2 Samuel 21:1-14 | 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

2 Samuel 21 opens with a hard truth: a famine exposes old injustice and the bloodguilt Saul brought on Israel by violating a sworn covenant with the Gibeonites. David seeks the Lord, listens to the injured party, and pursues costly repair. It is a painful story, marked by Rizpah’s courageous lament and David’s eventual act of honor in burying Saul and Jonathan. Justice here is not vengeance but truth-telling, repentance, and making things as right as possible.

Paul’s thanksgiving in 2 Thessalonians 1 recognizes another form of faithfulness: a church growing in love and endurance under pressure. He assures them that God’s righteous judgment will set things right at the revelation of Jesus, so they can persist now, praying to be found worthy of their calling. Held together, these readings point to a pattern of grace: we face our history truthfully, repair what we can, and entrust the ultimate righting of wrongs to God.

In our communities, unresolved wounds often linger beneath the surface, including broken promises, misused power, neglected neighbors. The way forward is not denial but confession. Not blame but costly repair; not despair but hopeful perseverance. As we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8), we pray with Paul that Christ would be glorified in us, and we in Him, according to His grace.

Devotional Prompts:

• Where might God be inviting you to face an old wrong with truth and repair?
• How can you practice endurance without becoming bitter or resigned?
• Who in your context models Rizpah’s courageous, persistent love?
• What would it look like to pray 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 over your week?

Prayer:
Righteous God, teach me to face what is broken without fear, to repair what I can with humility, and to entrust final justice to You. Strengthen my endurance and make me worthy of Your calling, that Jesus may be glorified in me. Amen.