9.30.24. Comforting words

2 Cor 1 God of all comfort

If anyone has suffered greatly it is Paul. He has walked the road of suffering so he might bring the gospel to others. He knows the Corinthians personally and he is aware of how they have come to know Christ. He also knows their strengths and weaknesses. Where is our heart? Do we know others so well that we can speak with honesty to them about their weaknesses and their strengths? The other side of this coin is to ask ourselves if we have such close communion with others that we can share our own needs with them as Paul has done in this letter? What characteristic of God can we share with others who are suffering? 

Paul now speaks to these precious friends in Corinth to remind them of God’s comfort when they face suffering. In another letter we read: be strong and courageous  and that is what Paul is telling these Corinthians about how he has faced suffering. “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” Why does God reveal that character quality to us? Paul answers that by saying it is so we can in turn comfort others as they face sufferings. 

Who today needs this message?