The God Of All Comfort

If you have been through tribulations, trials and persecutions you probably can testify about God’s comfort. God is the God of all comfort. Why? Because He loves and cares for us.

But remember this God doesn’t only comfort us because He loves us and cares for us, He also comforts us so that we can and will comfort others. Quite awhile ago I used to wonder why God blessed my family and me so much. Then I realized He blessed us not so we would just soak up the blessings but that we would pass them on to others by blessing them as well. When the Lord does something for His people it is never just for their benefit but it is to encourage them and to teach them to bless others.

Remember when Jesus washed His disciples feet, He was teaching them that the greatest among them would be the servant of all. It wasn’t just for their benefit but they were to pass it on. Who was the greatest among them at the time? Jesus was. Jesus said at one time, "I haven’t come to be served but to serve." His whole life was lived serving others by passing on what He received from His heavenly Father.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God that comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ." Those are very encouraging words and we can’t thank Him and Praise God enough for these things.

Many of us look at troubles, trials and persecution a lot different than Paul did. We would rather run from them and not experience them at all. Paul seemed to look forward to them. Paul wanted to know Christ in every way, not just in His resurrection but in His suffering as well. Paul went on to say in verse 6 and 7, "So when we are weighted down with troubles it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us it is so we in turn can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in suffering you will also share God’s comfort."

I think Paul was trying to convey to the Corinthian church that their salvation was the result of Paul’s suffering, or came about because he was willing to suffer for their benefit. Paul was expressing that the comfort of God surpassed the suffering and trials he faced for them. And the comfort he received he would pass on to them so that he would be a comfort and encouragement to them in their trials so that they could endure their suffering victoriously. Paul was very confident that if they suffered for the Lord He would in turn comfort them also.

Then Paul goes on and shares his experiences in the Province of Asia with them so they would get a better understanding of what he was teaching them.
Paul goes on to say in verses 8–10, "I think you ought to know dear brothers and sisters about the troubles we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed and we thought we would never live through it. In fact we expected to die. But as a result we learned not to rely on ourselves but on God who can raise the dead. And He did deliever us from mortal danger. And we are confident that He will continue to deliever us."

This reminds me of some other verses that relate to this subject:

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, " If anyone lives a godly life they would be persecuted."

Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."

James said in James 1:2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters whenever troubles come your way let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

Suffering was nothing new for Paul. He not only accepted it, he grew through it. He knew the God he served and he knew nothing would happen to him that wasn’t filtered through the hands of God. He also knew that if God allowed him to suffer, it was for Paul’s good. He also knew whatever he suffered, he was not alone and that God would always comfort him and be with him through it all.

My purpose in writing this is so that you will be comforted and encouraged, knowing if you are a believer you will receive that same comfort Paul received when you experience trials, tribulation and persecution. Praise God!

Have a great day and may God Bless You!