Words of The Day

The God of Comfort

( 2 Corinthians 1:1-14)

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 13For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; 14As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Beloved, Paul who acknowledged being an Apostle by the will God encourages us to be a channel passing on to others the comfort that we have received from God. As believers we will suffer because we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ.

 (John 15:18-21) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his  own: but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I have said unto you . The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

The bible says that Jesus Christ learned obedience from what he suffered; (Hebrew 5:8) Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.

Our suffering is a link to Jesus Christ; although He was the Son of God He endured the frailties and limitations of being human while living in a sinful world. Today we still live in a fallen world and feel the tension caused by its influence. Some of us face severe physical pain; others encounter intense emotional battles, financial difficulties, etc. But because Jesus Christ lived in our world and now lives within us, He shares the pain, the sorrows, and the frustration we feel.

(Hebrew 4:15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

He joins with us in our suffering and even more encouraging He also offers comfort.

Jesus Christ is with us, not just in spiritual sense, but in another sense –through other believers’ .Paul speaks of an overflow of comfort that goes from one to another. At times we may have difficulty feeling Christ’s comfort, but others Christians can encourage us with their physical presence, sharing our pain and offering tangible, practical ways. Their spiritual strength can flow into our lives, not as part answers, but as genuine grace. As part of our lives, their sympathy, confidence and hope in Jesus Christ will lift us up. We may go through some tough times, but we should not have to go through them alone. Jesus Christ is the answer, but we must trust in Him and believe His words.

God Bless You.