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.—2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Beloved…each one of us will experience troubles in this life. No one escapes. The Apostle Paul was no exception. In fact, during the course of his life here on earth, he suffered more than most of his readers could even fathom. If you want to know how to endure trials, study his life…read his epistles. I particularly like what Paul says about his in 2 Corinthians 1:9
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
And also in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
I love that! As Christians our difficulties are suppose to help us look up! They humble us and remind us to place our focus on Christ and not on our circumstances…to depend on His sustaining and delivering grace to see us through. We are not to trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He is sufficient and He does deliver. In looking to God we are also in a way looking out for others, because we can use the same comfort we receive from Him to bring them comfort as well.
Paul gives God three titles in verse 3 of 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. He is the Father…or the Originator…of mercy (compassion) and comfort (consolation).
Beloved…Our God EMBODIES mercy, compassion, comfort and consolation. True comfort will only be found in Him because He is the Source. Why would we go anywhere else?
So He became their Savior.
In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them;
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old.—Isaiah 63:8b; 9
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.—Psalm 46:1
In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.—Psalm 138:3; 7-8
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:16
