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In Order. Needed Comfort

December 4, 2017. 2 Corinthians 1-4.

 

Afflictions, tribulations, troubles, stress, anguish.  Not the kind of words we would ever like to describe what is going on in our life.  And yet, at least once a week there they are: a job deadline, a sick child, a wayward teenager, an unexpected financial expense, a strained relationship, a spiritual warfare, just to name a few.  Events that are described by these words.

By themselves these events often cause us to feel alone, anxious and fearful. But when God is a part of our life, it is an entirely different story.

2Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

When tribulations and troubles enter into our life so does the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the Father of mercies, or compassion, and the God of all comfort.  At the same time these troubles unexpectedly barge into the back door of our life, God is coming in the front door to comfort us in all our tribulation.  What is amazing is the extent of the comfort He gives to us.  We are comforted to the point where we are useful in comforting others.

That is amazing!  That is something that is praiseworthy about the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Here we are in the midst of our own troubles and afflictions and the God of all comfort comforts us in such a powerful way we are able to comfort others in the exact same way He is comforting us.

This truth provides us with two things we need to do when tribulation and trouble enter the back door. First, “look” at the front door and see how God is comforting.  Yes, the trouble is still there, but greater than the trouble is the comfort from the Father of mercies.  Second, “look” out the front door to see who may be troubled, who you can go and comfort in the exact same way God is comforting you.  Doing these two things will enable you to experience the truth that concludes today’s passage.

2Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

We do not become discouraged because we experience being renewed day by day as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, comforts us in all our tribulation.

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more