Monday, November 14, 2011

Verse of the Week ~ from Keith Beauchemin

I needed this today.


II Cor. 1:3,4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 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."

There are many reasons why God brings trials into our lives.  In this passage Paul reveals two of those reasons.  Last week we looked at the first reason which is so we can experience the comfort of our God who is the "Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."

The second purpose is so that we can comfort others who are experiencing trials.  This is God's pattern:  he brings trials into our lives, then he comforts us, then we see a brother or sister suffering and God uses us as his instrument to comfort them.  God brings trials into our lives not only so we can sympathize with the sufferings of our brethren, but also to equip us to reach out to them with the comfort of God.

You see God's most common way of comforting his people is by bringing other people to minister comfort to them.

How can I comfort my brother or sister?  Paul gives the answer, "comfort those in trouble with the same comfort with which we ourselves were comforted by God."  Maybe you were comforted by the verse a brother shared with you, a meal, the prayers of the brethren, a hug, a card or note, or a visit in the hospital. Whatever it may have been, the point is that most of the time God uses his people as his hands and feet to comfort others.

So, as we have been comforted by God, let us look for opportunities to comfort 
others.

1 comment:

  1. Great verse and wonderful thoughts on it. Found you through Melanie Dickerson's blog. Have a super week!!! :O)

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