“Blessed be the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1: 3-4)
What a marvelous title, God of all comfort! During our suffering we have someone who soothes us in the midst of it. So often we cry for relief of pain, but the comfort of God gives us permanent consolation in the midst of the bad pain.
Paul makes it clear that the comfort from God is not for our benefit only but for sharing with other hurting people. Maybe you been abused in some way and you need comfort to help you to make it through. maybe you have gone through a painful divorce, lost someone close to you, maybe you just need some words of wisdom to help you overcome whatever it is. Our Lord can give that comfort. Maybe you are lonely and need someone to give you that comfort you need. You see, the God of all comfort gives out either the gentle medicine or the stronger dose. But the most wonderful part is he stays to comfort during the pain.
Comfort is not only found in the absence of pain but in the midst of it. So many hurting Christians believe their walk with the Lord is not as it should be because of their intense pain. They just don’t feel comfortable. Feeling comfortable and being comforted is two different things. Being comfortable is a nice feeling but tends to come and go as feelings do and being comforted is a fact based on the comforter not on circumstances. He does not come and go, for Heb. 13: 5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
You see here He says, “I will never” (and praise the Lord, that DOES means always!) “. . . leave you nor forsake you.” Glory to his name. How many have forsaken us and how many has left us? But my God will never leave or forsake me, or you either!
My prayer for you today is that you will feel the loving arms wrapped around you. The next time you tell someone about Christ, listen carefully, see where the brokenness is and how Christ can put that person’s life back together. God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but “. . . that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Written by Jeane Brewer