2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New International Version

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 Encouragement

How do we comfort ourselves and others in these challenging times of wars, economic hardship, political upheavals, domestic and family juggernauts, etc.? What is the strength of our comfort to others if we have not placed ourselves in the comfort of God for suffering in the name of Christ?

Job suffered untold hardship that grieved his three friends who came to comfort him (Job 2:11-13). However, their silence gave into a tirade of blame over Job’s presumed sins. How encouraging and comforting they became to Job (Job 12:2-3). Their comfort lacked power, the warmth and empathy received only from God through suffering for His glory.

Paul received comfort from God (2 Cor. 1:3-6) in so many ways and forms that lifted his spirit as he shared in Jesus Christ’s suffering (Phil. 3:10-11). God had called and appointed him into a new life in Him (Acts 9:3-6) and given an apostolic mandate to the Gentiles (15-16; Rom. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1). His new life and mandate included suffering for His name’s sake. With the comfort Paul received, he praises our merciful Father and the source of all comfort, the purpose of which is for the comfort of others in their suffering (2 Cor. 1:3- 5). We cannot give what we do not have. Christian comfort, however, comes from our endurance in tribulation for Christ’s sake.

Many times, we walk away from difficulties and suffering that come to reveal God’s glory in our lives. It leaves us with no experience to draw on to comfort others in their times of need, like Job’s three friends. It limits our ministry to one another when we need encouragement, the essence of our Christian fellowship (Heb. 10:23-25). So, how do we receive encouragement from the Lord to comfort others with the comfort we have received?

We draw comfort from God in our affliction when we remember the power of His resurrection in our lives (Rom. 15:5-6; Phil. 3:10). As the Hymn writer says, because He lives, we can face tomorrow. Paul wanted to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering in the hope of our future resurrection. That is our consolation in suffering.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm (Eph. 1:3). These blessings have become the well we draw from when we go through all kinds of suffering. They are adequate for every situation, and the Holy Spirit helps us with the power to overcome. 

There is no greater comfort than knowing that the temporary sufferings of this world are nothing compared to the eternal glory we are receiving as a result (2 Cor. 4:17-18). That is the living hope Peter alludes to in 1 Pt. 1:3. It is a living hope because Jesus is alive, and it is comforting to know in our crucible.

Listen to the word of the Lord that speaks to the fear of man in Isaiah 51:12-13:

I, even I, am he who comforts you.

    Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

    human beings, who are but grass?

How encouraging is that when humans assail you?

God uses the presence of others who have been in the same situation as we are to comfort us when in need. They know and understand us and have the right words and messages to comfort us (2 Cor. 7:6-7).

So, what is your worry when God has resourced you for your time of need? He equips you for a higher calling in the lives of others with His comfort to you in suffering. Walk in it for His glory. Amen!

Pray with Me.

Eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, please comfort us in our suffering so that we can comfort others with the comfort you have graced us with. We give you glory for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in this through Jesus Christ, amen.