The God of all comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. Father?? Who is a Father? A father is a male figure (Y chromosome) which provides protection, structure, moral values, blueprint, vision, and purpose in a family. For those without Fathers, there are also “Father Figures” A good father figure has the ability to project Gods image, and also increase the love for Gods moral standards in the earth. But we have a Father of all fathers. Do you know who that Father is? It is God in Heaven. He is Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He is a Father like no other. The key word in this passage is “comfort”. The original meaning of the word comfort literally means “to come alongside and help.” When Paul wrote these words (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) to the church in Corinth, his purpose was to encourage them in a time of great trial that no matter what they faced in life, God would be by their side. The book “From Psalms of My Life by Joseph Bayly” are psalms of Joe Baylys life express the emotions of ordinary living--one mans private response to God in times of crisis and grief, change, excitement, and the life that is so daily. Here is one of the Psalms he called “Psalm of Extremity” “I cry tears to you Lord tears because I cannot speak. Words are lost among my fears, pain, sorrows, losses, hurts but tears. You understand my wordless prayer, You hear. Lord wipe away my tears, all tears not in a distant day but now here.” God comforts us when our hearts are faint. Jeremiah 8:18 (NIV) You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me. Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. God doesn’t comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters. We let God comfort us so that in time He can comfort others through us. Some people turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. Meeting troubles does not mean God is condemning us; He comforts us in our troubles. He does not chastise or criticize us but calm and console us when we are troubled. Our comfort is derived from knowing not only He is on our side, but that He is by our side, though He can only be seen or felt with eyes of faith. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us. If you are feeling overwhelmed, allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles. When you find yourself discouraged because of difficult circumstances, it is easy to focus on yourself and your feelings, or to be absorbed in the problems around you. God is here with us and has come alongside you to help you through this very difficult time. Just hear his voice saying Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. Remember He is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. Another Song that shows us that is God is our comforter. He Knows My Name- Maranatha I have a Maker He formed my heart Before even time began My life was in His hands He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And hears me when I call I have a Father He calls me His own Hell never leave me No matter where I go He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And hears me when I call He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And hears when I call
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 18:21:35 +0000