To My Daughters,
There is so much "comfort" in these three verses! Here is what they tell us.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
The comforts of Christ will be equal to any suffering you endure for Him. Paul is not talking here about the suffering of Christ on the cross for our sins...the atoning sufferings of Christ. He is talking about the kind of suffering a believer faces because he names the name of Christ. If you are truly His, you will suffer for His namesake. You will perhaps face rejection, hatred, betrayal, persecution and more. Read Isaiah 53...read the Gospels...Christ endured them all! He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He has gone before us and can comfort and console us like no other! God, as your Father, suffers when His children endure affliction. He assures us, however, that His love will comfort, console and strengthen us during these times and it will be enough. His grace will be sufficient and we will be able to do all things through Him who strengthens us. THAT is a beautiful picture. One of my favorite verses in all of Scripture comes to mind here.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.--Psalm 94:19
How beautiful is that.
Verse 6:
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
I love this too...so both my sufferings and my comfort are for the strengthening and consolation of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who have gone through hard times, trials and tribulations are best equipped to speak comfort and encouragement to those that are facing similar circumstances. Paul uses the word salvation here. I don't think he is talking about the salvation of their souls. I think he is saying that they would have the strength to endure through whatever they were facing. They would see the comfort and grace Paul received and know that God would do similarly for them in their own trials and tribulations. The same is true for me when I read the word of God and see those that went before me....the cloud of witnesses so to speak. I see the consolation they received and am encouraged to endure and stay the course, knowing that His grace is truly sufficient and knowing that heaven (the salvation of my soul) is just around the bend.
And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Here is the verse that comforted me the most today as I meditated on it. There are so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering much for His namesake and are a beautiful testimony to those God has placed in their lives of His grace and mercy. My hope for them can be steadfast. As they partake of the sufferings of Christ, they will also partake of the consolation. His comfort will be equal to their need. His grace will be sufficient. Sometimes my heart gets overwhelmed when I see a sister or brother in Christ in deep grief or pain. What a comfort for me to remember this verse. God is there in the midst. Sufferings do not come alone...the consolations of God follows and accompanies them!
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.Love
Mom
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