2 Thessalonians 2:16

"Consolation." There is music in the word: like David’s harp, it charms away the evil spirit of melancholy. It was a distinguished honor for Barnabas to be called "the son of consolation"; indeed, it is one of the illustrious names of a greater than Barnabas, for the Lord Jesus is "the consolation of Israel." "Everlasting consolation"—this is the choicest part of all, for the eternity of comfort is its crown and glory.

What is this "everlasting consolation"? It includes a sense of pardoned sin. A Christian has received in his heart the witness of the Spirit that his iniquities are put away like a cloud, and his transgressions like a thick cloud. If sin is pardoned, is that not an everlasting consolation?

Next, the Lord gives his people an abiding sense of acceptance in Christ. The Christian knows that God looks upon him as standing in union with Jesus. Union with the risen Lord is a consolation of the most abiding order; it is, in fact, everlasting. Let sickness prostrate us; have we not seen hundreds of believers as happy in the weakness of disease as they would have been in the strength of strong and blooming health?

Let death’s arrows pierce us to the heart, our comfort does not die, for have our ears not very often heard the songs of saints as they rejoiced because the living love of God was shed abroad in their hearts in dying moments? Yes, a sense of acceptance in the Beloved is an everlasting consolation.

Moreover, the Christian has a conviction of his security. God has promised to save those who trust in Christ: the Christian does trust in Christ, and he believes that God will be as good as his word and will save him. He feels that he is safe by virtue of his being bound up with the person and work of Jesus.