2 Corinthians 1
Daily Bread
God Offers Comfort to All
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
Observation:
This is one of four letters Paul has written to the Corinthian church. His plans to visit them had been cut short by some of the persecution he has faced in his travels. Some of those in the Corinthian church who are trying to cause division try to question Paul’s integrity because of this. The ultimate purpose is for him to relay their gift to the church in Jerusalem.
So Paul uses this change of plans to teach them how even out of these extreme circumstances God can use it for good. Suffering is one of the great tests of our faith. Some wonder if God is with them, how would He is let them go through such a trial? Paul teaches that only does God comfort us when we go through suffering, but God can use our suffering and the comfort we have received to be a comfort for others.
Paul also teaches when we get to the end of our rope that is often when we completely rely on God and have a chance to see His power at work when ours is gone.
Application:
Although no one likes to go through hard times, God uses them to mold and shape us, and through them we experience the comfort of Christ who shares in our suffering. Indeed one of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that our God is not immune to suffering as He himself experienced it through His Son Jesus on the cross.
We also see the wonderful fellowship that happens when we are able to share from our experience of suffering to help another person. As they say, “God never wastes an experience”. Some of our most powerful ministry often happens not out of our strengths, but weaknesses.
If you are going through a hard time look to God to comfort you in your troubles. God knows more than anyone what you are going through. As Christians, God will not always spare us from suffering, but He will never leave us or forsake and He will teach us how to fully rely on Him. This will create humility in us and teach us where our true power comes from!
Prayer: God help us to look to you for comfort in our suffering. Although it may not be easy at the time, you will use what we are going through to help others going in their struggles. Jesus we know in your suffering you were able to show your greatest power. Teach us how to rely on you when we feel powerless, as we know you will rescue us in our time of need! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Offers Comfort to All
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
Observation:
This is one of four letters Paul has written to the Corinthian church. His plans to visit them had been cut short by some of the persecution he has faced in his travels. Some of those in the Corinthian church who are trying to cause division try to question Paul’s integrity because of this. The ultimate purpose is for him to relay their gift to the church in Jerusalem.
So Paul uses this change of plans to teach them how even out of these extreme circumstances God can use it for good. Suffering is one of the great tests of our faith. Some wonder if God is with them, how would He is let them go through such a trial? Paul teaches that only does God comfort us when we go through suffering, but God can use our suffering and the comfort we have received to be a comfort for others.
Paul also teaches when we get to the end of our rope that is often when we completely rely on God and have a chance to see His power at work when ours is gone.
Application:
Although no one likes to go through hard times, God uses them to mold and shape us, and through them we experience the comfort of Christ who shares in our suffering. Indeed one of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that our God is not immune to suffering as He himself experienced it through His Son Jesus on the cross.
We also see the wonderful fellowship that happens when we are able to share from our experience of suffering to help another person. As they say, “God never wastes an experience”. Some of our most powerful ministry often happens not out of our strengths, but weaknesses.
If you are going through a hard time look to God to comfort you in your troubles. God knows more than anyone what you are going through. As Christians, God will not always spare us from suffering, but He will never leave us or forsake and He will teach us how to fully rely on Him. This will create humility in us and teach us where our true power comes from!
Prayer: God help us to look to you for comfort in our suffering. Although it may not be easy at the time, you will use what we are going through to help others going in their struggles. Jesus we know in your suffering you were able to show your greatest power. Teach us how to rely on you when we feel powerless, as we know you will rescue us in our time of need! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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