God's Comfort

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
Title: God’s comfort
By: Bro.Rodney Balucan
Paradox / irony / contradiction of God’s grace is that, it is keenly/intensely experience not in the best of times but what seem to be the worst of times.

God’s comfort as seen in the Bible:
1. God delivering His people from their enemies.
2. God’s anger against His rebellious people seizes and He forgave and restored His people back to Him.
3. God’s promises, such as His future return and reign.
4. God’s care as illustrated by the way a mother comforts her child who is in distress.
5. God’s character as being the father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

Reason / Aim / Purpose of God’s comfort:

1. Prepares (arm/equip) us to serve (v.3-4)-our consolation from God during our troubles equips us to be a comforter also for others who are in trouble. There is a tremendous benefit we received when we face various trials and testing in our lives if only we just keep trusting God that whatever comes our way that is with His knowledge and permission. (Rom 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” What’s grand about these is that, we are not only the ones benefited but also those others we consoled during their troubles.

2. Preserves (sustain/keep) us in service (v.5)As we are called to experience the same sufferings which Christ endured. (Mat 10:24) “ A disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.” As we are called to suffer in his cause, and in the promotion of the same object, i.e., the propagation of His kingdom in this world. The sufferings which the disciples endured were in the cause of Christ and his gospel; were endured in endeavoring to advance the same object which Christ sought to promote; and were substantially of the same nature. They arose from opposition, contempt, persecution, trial, and want, and were the same as the Lord Jesus was himself subjected to during the whole of his public life. Christ came out victorious, ransom men from sin, conquered death, and is now seated at the right hand of God, crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. And this is our comfort, that also one day we will also received our crowns from the Lord and hear Him say, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Mat 25:21). In Mat 5:10-12 it says, ” Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Another source of our comfort, in spite of the troubles we may encounter, is the Holy Spirit in us – the Great Comforter.

3. Push (drive) us to service (v.6-7)Trials and persecution did not hinder Paul and others to pursue the ministry. They are certain of their faith in God and His promises. We do the ministry with an aim. We don’t beat against the wind without a goal. In 1Cor 9:23-27 Paul says, “And this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I might be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those running in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And everyone who strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Then those truly that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. So then I run, not as if I were uncertain. And so I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I buffet my body, and lead it captive, lest proclaiming to others I myself might be rejected.” In v.6, Paul says that he endured sufferings for the comfort and advancement in sanctification of his fellow believers. He has that concern for his fellow believers that he wants to see them grow and mature in the Lord and firm in their faith in Christ alone.

4. Promotes (endorse/stimulate) others to service (v.8-11)Paul did not hid for himself his experiences to fellow believers. Instead, he gave his testimony of how good and true God is of being his comfort and deliverer even in the most trying times in his life (v.10).

Promise of God’s deliverance:1. (Psa 91:3) Surely He will deliver you from the fowler's trap and from the destroying plague.
2. (1Co 10:13) No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.
3. (2Ti 4:18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me to His heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
4. (Isa 46:4) even to old age I am He; and to gray hairs I will bear you. I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

In v. 11, we can see that other believers have been encouraged to pray. To be intercessors for those in the ministry. Prayer is one powerful ministry that a believer can be engaged or involved in.