2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New International Version (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

For meditation

These words could only be uttered by a believer in Jesus Christ who has known suffering as a constant friend and companion.  The pain and anguish of a soul that has been trained in the crucible of a sacrificed life after the Savior, understands the heart of another suffering Christian.. The apostles willingly lived this way after Pentecost, but Paul took it to another dimension. “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name,” the Lord told Ananias (Acts 9:16); and so it was for the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul suffered severely in diverse ways and multiple times (2 Cor. 11:24-26) after his Damascus Road experience (Acts 9:3-9). If anybody knew the cruelty of hunger, thirst, fatigue, and the harshness of cold weather without adequate clothing, it was Paul (27). The amazing thing is that he took hardships in his stride, knowing the One for whose sake he suffered, and he rejoiced for the opportunity (2 Cor. 12:10, Phil. 3:10).

Armed with the right attitude in suffering, Paul could praise God at all times. In 2 Cor. 1:3, he is full of praise for God who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is full of praise because in Christ, we have earned the right to call God, our Father (Jn. 1:12; Rm. 8:15). Paul praises God for being the compassionate Father who comes alongside to help us in our suffering. God comforts us this way so that we can also share His comfort with those who may be going through similar situations (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

1. In our moments of struggle, isn’t it joyful to know that God doesn’t give us what we deserve; but rather, He comforts us with the comfort we don’t deserve?
2. Do you see the source of strength for the believer in suffering?
3. Do you see why Paul and Silas could sing praises to God at midnight in a dark dungeon at Philippi for ministering in the name of Jesus (Acts 16:25)?
4. With such attitude, do you see why Paul could write to comfort and encourage us in our suffering for Christ?
5. And if we are comforted in our suffering by Paul’s letters, why can’t we come alongside somebody who may be gravely in need of some warm hands or a kind word?

I pray we will remember the words of Peter that echoes Paul’s sentiments: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Pt. 4:10).

So: May the mercies of God embrace you with His gracious comforting hands; and may it equip you with the right attitude to endure your suffering, so that you can share the comfort you receive from God with someone who may need you in similar straits.

God’s comfort in suffering enables us to share the sorrows of others.

Shalom