5/28 - 2 Corinthians 1

Paul opens this chapter with his normal greeting and then quickly turns to address the topics of suffering. He had a fairly close relationship with the Corinthians, having visited multiple times and written three letters, and knew the struggles they dealt with as new believers. He writes:

"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" (v. 3-4)

There's no doubt that we'll face trouble in this life but thank God for His love for us. At work, at home, or even in our ministries there's always something there to discourage us but Paul knew, as we should know, that God will sustain and strengthen us. Through all the difficulties in life, we can find comfort in God's promises for, in verse 20, "all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." I can struggle with finances, but thank God for His promise to supply all my needs. I struggle with various worldly temptations but praise God for His promise to give me strength to overcome it.

Now, God's comfort is not an end in itself - it also carries the purpose that we might ourselves become comforters. This is why so much power can be found in the testimonies of other people. Just knowing that someone else has gone through what you are going through now is powerful enough to cause you to change. I've experienced it, and it's truly a comforting thing to know that there is hope to overcome. So as Paul addresses the Corinthians, he gives his own testimony of his suffering in Asia (v. 8-10) where he was convinced he would die but was delivered by God, the same God who they now serve. The comfort comes in the fact that the Corinthians were partakers in his suffering, but just as Paul had experienced, they would be partakers in God's consolation (v. 7)

So I suppose that we can use God's promises as ammunition against the enemy who would have us discouraged in the midst of trying times. If God won't put more on us than we can bear, we can look tribulation in the face confident that there is a way out, not only for us but for the body of believers with whom we share this faith and can be encouraged by our testimony. Let's be reminded today of what God has brought us out of and share that with someone today, for their comfort.