In Second Corinthians chapter one verse three we find these words, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” What a wonderful verse, full of consolation, calmness, and completeness. When one studies the context of this passage it really has more meaning. Let us study the context of this passage.
First Paul tells us why He is the God of comfort. He comforts us when we are in trials. God is there when we are going through everything the devil has to offer; in sickness and prosperity, and in death and in good health. All of these the devil can use to get us away from God. The devil is voting against us and God is voting for us, and we cast the deciding vote. How will you vote?
In this same passage Paul tells us why we go through these trials too. Notice verse four, “… that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble…” The reason we go through the trial is so that we can help others when they go through those same trials. It may not be the same for everyone. The same seeming trial may not be exactly the same for the other person, but there are enough similarities that we can help them. When I was going through my trials some of the greatest comfort came from those who had been through the same thing. There was nothing said between us but I knew they knew what I was going through. It was a tremendous help and I was thankful they were there. We can and should help others when they are going through the time of trials; someone helped us during those times, so let us help others.
God does not work directly today. If we study our Bibles we find that, “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). We find in another place, “Bur we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God is working through us. We have the responsibility to help others this is how God works. Notice in Matthew 25: 31-46 especially verses 34 though 40. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was ahungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee ahungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” We are not talking about what God could do, but what does God do. He works through us, and we ought to help out others.
Another reason God being the God of comfort has deep meaning is found in the fact that “whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation (2 Corinthians 1:6). Did you notice that if we are afflicted or comforted it is for our consolation and salvation? If you did not notice that read the passage again. All things are working for our salvation. God wants all men to be saved and has worked to that end. Now it is up to us to decide what we want to do. It is up to us where we want to dwell for eternity.
Notice that Paul understands the God of comfort and placed compete trust in Him. In the passage (2 Corinthians 1:8-11) Paul talks about the suffering that he went through in Asia. If we study the time when Paul was there in Asia (Acts 19) we find many a hardship that came upon Paul. He was ready to die for the cause of Christ. Paul knew what Christ had done for him and was willing to give it all up for Him. He was facing many a problem but he never gave up on God. Paul knew that God would not allow Satan to put a trial upon him that he could not bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Paul trusted God! In the end Paul would be and get all the comfort he needed- that would be in heaven. Let us trust in the God of all comfort, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not!
Love, Keith
