Receiving the comfort of God and Channelling the comfort of God
'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.'
2 Corinthians 1v3-5 (NIV)
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you can be guaranteed of two things; 'we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ', and 'our comfort abounds through Christ.' Just as Jesus faced trouble as he went about his ministry, so you too will face pressures and struggles. But just as Jesus found comfort from his Father, you too will find comfort from the Father. The 'sufferings' flow into our lives, but the 'comfort' floods in! Our comfort comes from 'the Father of compassion', he understands us as a Father knows his child. He is not immune to our struggles, he cares for us. Our comfort comes from the 'God of all comfort', he is the source, the one who fills us and supplies us with all the comfort we need. God is both caring and giving. This is great news for us at a time when we face all kinds of troubles.
First, We receive the comfort of God: 'The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.' As we start this new week we are guaranteed that God will be our comfort. The Father will draw along side, encouraging us and strengthening us. God is full of compassion towards his children: 'As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.' (Isaiah 66v13) God enters into our suffering and will give us all we need.
Second, We channel the comfort of God: '...so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.' The comfort we receive from the Father is wasted if we do not pass the comfort on. We are now the channel through whom comfort flows to others. We draw alongside those who are troubled, we walk with them strengthening and encouraging.
Think of it this way; Troubles flow into our lives, comfort floods in from the Father, and comfort overflows from us to those who face troubles.
Prayer
Thank you Father God that through faith in Jesus Christ we have access to the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Thank you that you are not immune to our troubles but draw along side, supporting and helping. Help me, this week to be a channel of God's comfort to those who are struggling and finding isolation hard.