A Quest for Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
September 2001
Senior Center Devotional
Introduction
I had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you’d want me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited -- you never called -- I just kept on loving you.
As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face -- trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have. You didn’t even think of Me; I wanted so much to comfort you.
The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into glorious morning for you. But you woke up late and rushed off to work -- you didn’t even notice. My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.
I love you, oh, if you’d only listen. I really love you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of all the flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and compose love songs for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s sweet scent. My love for you is deeper than any ocean and greater than any need in your heart. If you’d only realize how I care.
My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him -- He cares, too. Fathers are just that way. So, please; call on Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait -- because I love you. (Your Friend, Jesus)
We are seeing people go to God like never before. Because we are a notion that is searching; some are searching for answers. Some are searching for help. Some are searching for healing. Some are searching for hope. Some are searching for comfort.
The Corinthian church was also in a search for comfort during difficult times. Today, we are going to look at the words of the Apostle Paul in our search for comfort.
II Corinthians 1:3-5
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
I. God’s Comfort is Complete
A. The Message of Comfort
1. The love of God
Why would God want to comfort anyone? Because He loves everyone! He loves you and He loves me.
God’s love is indeed real and it is powerful. The love of God can capture the wandering soul, change the worst of situations and empower the weakest of spirits
2. The presence of God
God is with us! Here and now God is with us! Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God stands beside every person who calls to Him for help. The presence of God brings peace to the troubled. The presence of God brings provision for tomorrow. The presence of God brings power for the weakened and the weary.
B. The Meaning of Comfort
1. The Greek Meaning
a.) The original meaning of this word we translate comfort literally means “to come alongside and help. Comfort does not remove our sufferings, our trials but rather it brings us the strength, encouragement and hope to deal with our difficulties
b.) “Christ did not come to do away with suffering; He did not come to explain it; He came to fill it with His presence” – Paul Claudel
2. The Greek Context
Paul was writing to the Corinthian church during a time of great distress. Paul’s message of encouragement literally told them that no matter what they faced in life, God would be by their side.
II. God’s Comfort is Contagious
A. God is always there to comfort us
1. Paul’s all inclusive statement
Paul says that God is the God of all comfort. There is no mistake what Paul is saying here. God is the source for comfort and help for every person in every situation. You can have not real comfort without God
2. God is always with us
B. God calls us to comfort others
1. God’s comfort calls us to reach out
a.) The comfort of God almighty is an amazing gift. It is a gift meant to be shared
b.) Just as God has come beside us, we are to go out and stand beside others
2. God’s comfort works through us
Quote: God loves the world through us - Mother Theresa
III. God’s Comfort is through Christ
A. Christ understands suffering
1. Christ was crucified
2. Christ understood emotional pain
a.) Rejection – People mocked Him, religious leaders fought Him and the disciples abandoned Him
b.) Slander and injustice – Jesus was falsely accused, tried for crimes He did not commit and was sentenced to death as an innocent man
c.) Grief and sorrow
1.) His father Joseph
2.) His cousin and fellow minister John the Baptist
3.) His close personal friend Lazarus
B. Christ brings us comfort
1. Christ will stand with us
a.) Christ knows pain and suffering on a personal level. So he understands your pain, your fear and your need for security
b.) Hebrews 4: 14-16
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
2. Hope for the future
a.) Life is unpredictable. We do not know what tomorrow holds because no one can know the future. However, we can know the one who holds tomorrow and who is in control of life.
b.) Life is precious. Each and everyday that we are given is a gift from God almighty and He will give us new strength with each passing day.
The God who is faithful and true has come alongside you today to help you in this time of sorrow. May His strength empower you, may His love lift you and may His grace guide you
