2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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GOD OF ALL COMFORT (II)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
James 1:2-4
“… the God of all comfort.”
GOD OF ALL COMFORT (II)
The comfort of God helps us endure our various trials, enabling our faith in Christ to mature. James exhorts us, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4).
However, this comfort is not only for our benefit, but for other saints as well. Verse 4 tells us that the experience of comfort through our various trials enables us to comfort others. Having gone through these trials, we have experiential knowledge of how God has comforted us through our difficult times, and thus we are now able to empathise with other suffering saints who go through similar challenges, and comfort them through God’s Word and prayer.
In verses 5 to 7, Paul shared how his patience in the midst of persecutions, imprisonments and other challenges had emboldened others in their stand for the faith. Similarly, when saints testify during prayer meetings of how God’s Word encouraged them through difficult times in their places of work, their testimonies encourage others in their walk with God. When young Christian men refuse to kowtow to peer pressure and the temptations of the world, other youths will be provoked to do likewise. Those who are comforted by God will also be of comfort to others.
Let us be comforted that our trials have a purpose. The troubles we experience serve as our University of Life. God can also use us to comfort and encourage others to persevere in their sufferings for His sake. We can be powerful instruments in the hands of God. Let us then be comforted in our triune God and live faithfully as witnesses for Christ.
“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Cor 1:5).
THOUGHT: God’s care for His children is the best.
PRAYER: Father, help me to be a comfort and blessing to others.