24 Aug September 26 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

COMFORTED TO GIVE COMFORT

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “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 just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

Although fewer Americans believe in God, still forty percent believe He has punished them for something they have done.  Sixty percent of Americans believe God will punish people for the bad things they do.  Being afraid of God and needing to somehow appease Him remains fairly common.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 presents an attribute of God that is not well-known.  St. Paul says He is compassionate. This means rather than God looking for opportunities to punish and condemn, He is actually concerned for and desires to assist all who are suffering from the misfortunes of life.

The next phrase says God comforts those who are troubled.  Webster’s dictionary defines the word comfort in this way:  “to console, ease distress and grief.”  It gives the following synonyms for comfort:  “console, support, help and ease.”

The public ministry of Jesus included many acts of compassion.  When he had preached to a crowd of 5,000 for most of a day, He directed His disciples to feed them.  There were no McDonalds or Burger Kings.  Many lived subsistence lives.  Jesus knew they were hungry, could have ignored their basic human need for food, but instead He worked a miracle to feed all of them with sufficient scraps of food left over to fill twelve baskets.

Jesus shed tears with Mary and Martha at the death of their brother Lazarus.  He raised Jairus’ daughter.  He healed the ten lepers.  Jesus cared deeply for those who were ignored by the temple leaders.

St. Paul says that God comforts you in your troubles.  And, he says you are in turn enabled by Him to give comfort to others who are experiencing troubles.  God desires for you and all you know to receive His comfort.  Isaiah wrote, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)  The Psalmist declares, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18:

Prayer:  As you comfort me in my troubles Lord, lead and guide me to comfort others in their troubles.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Amazing Grace— how sweet the sound—

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see!

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come;

His grace has brought me safe thus far,

His grace will lead me home.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail

And mortal life shall cease,

Amazing grace shall then prevail In heaven’s joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

(LSB 744)