A Comforting Reminder

We all have days in our life when we realize we need the kind of comfort that only God can give. Perhaps that is where you are today. Personally, on those days, I have found solace often times in the words of Paul who said, “Praise be to our God…the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

The Apostle is writing about how God comforts us in our suffering. The word “comfort” appears nine times in these opening verses of 2 Corinthians 1. This is apparently an important message in Paul’s mind—one that needs to be said. He tells us that God is the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort. The Greek word for compassion suggests God is sensitive to our pain, and the Greek word for comfort connotes God strengthens us in our pain.

So Paul calls God the Father of compassion, however, in Isaiah God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13). I like that image, too. Like a tenderhearted mother, God comforts His children. You probably remember when you were a child getting hurt and your mother coming to your aid, giving you healing ointment, and comforting you by saying, “It’s okay, you’re going to be alright.” These are the kind of tender words we receive from our Lord.

The Bible says God comforts us just like a tenderhearted mother but also like a compassionate father. Are you hurting today? Perhaps you need to spend some time with your Heavenly Father so that He might hold you tight in His strong, everlasting arms, saying, “It’s okay, everything will be alright.” He will do so! Our God is the God of all comfort!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron