“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)
Look up the word "comfort" in a dictionary or some other reference and one will find a definition like this: "Something that promotes a state of ease or provides freedom from pain and anxiety."
But God's Word has a different solution when comfort is needed. Comfort is found in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Greek, He is called “parakletos,” which means "he who stands at one's side; he who comes to one's aid." Believers don't have to seek outward answers or trends to ease their mind, because help is available within.
Even before the Spirit was sent to live in the hearts of believers, The Bible identifies God as the one who comforts His people. The Lord personally provides comfort and reassurance because no one knows our hurts the way He does.
God lets us pass through hardship to make us stronger believers, wiser servants, and more humble people. But He stays right by our side through the entire experience, holding us up and limiting the force and extent of our trial. The Holy Spirit's reassuring whisper to our heart gives more comfort than the support of family or the encouragement of friends.
People who fail to understand that the true source of comfort is God try to find their own escape from their pain. They seek out pleasures, material wealth, or drugs and alcohol to soothe their heart. Only God can offer lasting relief from the crushing pressure of heartache. He even brings joy into periods of mourning.
So, one of the things that Paul teaches us here in his letter to the Corinthians is that pain, whether it be physical pain, or any kind of emotional pain, should drive us to trust God for help. This is because He’s the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort. And He’s the God of all comfort because He’s been there. He’s done that. He’s experienced more than you and I will ever experience.
He’s known sorrow. He’s seen the pain of losing a loved one. He’s suffered physical pain. These experiences are what make Him able to comfort us as no one else can.
Anyone know the shortest verse in the Bible?
John 11:35: “Jesus wept.”
Why is this verse important?
This verse is important because it reveals the depth of His compassion for us.
The source of all comfort (note the word ALL) is God Himself. However, Paul also reminds us that, spiritual gifts are not intended solely for the recipients’ benefit, but are to be used in turn for the service of others.
1 Peter 4:10 says that each one should use whatever gift he or she has received to serve others, faithfully being stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
God’s grace also includes this comfort, received from Him, which enables us to comfort others. We can channel that comfort through prayer, we can channel that comfort through practical service, but God uses us – you and me, to provide comfort, to be the tools of His compassion, to a hurting world.
That’s who we come to today, and every day, to draw on the comfort of the one who comes alongside us. Here and now, God is with us. Isaiah 41:10 says: “So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God’s grace and comfort is sufficient. That’s all we need.
Hello Again!!
7 years ago
