March 13, 2019
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I love it when a “so that” shows up in my Bible. This phrase means that we have not only a principle or truth that is being taught, but we have the purpose and application of that truth. This is the case with 2 Corinthians 1:4. When we think about the comfort that God provides, our thoughts often center on ourselves, and this is understandable. When we are going through a struggle or trial, we are in desperate need of the comfort and peace that only God can provide. But that comfort was never meant to stop there; the comfort we receive from God is never meant to comfort only ourselves. God has comforted you so that you can bring that same peace into the lives of brothers and sisters around you.
So how do you do that? Sometimes it means sharing your testimony; simply telling the story of what God has done for you so that you can comfort the one hurting with the fact that the same powerful and loving God watches over them. Sometimes it means that you have the peace in your own life after, or even in the midst of a struggle, that you can simply sit lovingly with someone who is still wrestling with the feelings of discouragement or hopelessness. The comfort God has given you is never for you alone.
But maybe you are reading this today and you still have not received the comfort you are looking for. I would encourage you to consider that maybe comfort will come in the form of another brother or sister in Christ. Do not sit alone in despair, but make an effort to be with your Christian family. Go to church, be part of a Bible study, or simply accept that invitation to coffee that you’ve been avoiding. Allow God to work through other believers, because he may have given them comfort for the very purpose of passing it on to you.
Father, continue to comfort us so that we would intentionally comfort one another. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit working in and through Your children.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon
