THE COMFORT CONNECTION
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 NKJ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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.
OBSERVATION:
The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
What a beautiful picture of our God. When you think about other religions and how their gods are described, we come out way, way ahead.
Mercy is defined as: to have compassion on. It is the compassion one shows for the sufferings of others. And our Heavenly Father is revealed as the Father of this type of compassion. This compassion, this mercy, originated with Him.
As a parent and a husband, I understand what it is to have compassion on someone who is hurting. Not just any someone but one who is deeply loved.
When Joy was carrying Matthew, our first born, the doctor we were seeing during a routine exam, could not find a heartbeat. I don't think I will ever forget the look on Joy's face and the compassion that rose up in me in response to her suffering. Gratefully, Matt was alive, and the pain and suffering ended. But it was a powerful and impactful moment in my life.
That compassion is part of our makeup because it's a trait of our Heavenly Father.
God of all comfort. The word here means to encourage and comfort for the purpose of making stronger.
So, God encourages us and comforts us in all our difficult times. It is important that we not confuse His work with that of Satan. God comforts in trouble. Satan torments, accuses and causes trouble.
Here is where we make the comfort connection. God encourages and strengthens us so that we can encourage and strengthen others. God's Kingdom is a love-based Kingdom. We are to channel to others what we receive from God. The comfort does not stop with us. We are the comfort connection.
APPLICATION:
How has the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort helped you? Maybe with help through a traumatic time or deliverance from a long-standing problem. Saving your marriage or giving you chance after chance to get things right.
However He has comforted you; pass on to others. Nothing is more powerful to you than your story of what God has done. So, pass it on. Complete this connection.
PRAYER:
Thank You Father for the mercy and comfort You have shown me. Help me share that with others who need encouragement.