- Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain—
Free to all, a healing stream—
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.- Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
- Refrain:
- Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and Mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me. - Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me. - Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Fannie Crosby, Published in 1869.
2 Corinthians 1:1-4 English Standard Version
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
God of All Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
The Gospel Truth: Our God is with us when we experience pain, loss, regret, sadness, and all manner of pain. He is not only with us but promises to bring us the comfort we need when we face troubles. He is with us through all things.
“God of Comfort” can also be translated as “God of Compassion.” To have compassion is to have concern and empathy for the sufferings of others. This first shows us God recognizes our need to be seen, to receive the empathy and care of others. God is interested in what we are going through. He does not casually dismiss our current circumstances or minimize our daily stressors as insignificant. He absolutely cares about and is absolutely there for each and every up and down that we face. He gathers our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8)
It’s easy for many of us to think our heartbreak doesn’t count because others have gone through worse. While we should realize the uncountable ways we are blessed, that does not mean God doesn’t see your pain as “minimal” compared to others. Compassion and comfort from Jesus are available whenever we need them! God’s grace is not reserved solely for our hardest moments; it’s available to each and every one of us on a day-by-day, even moment-by-moment basis!
We can call on God’s powerful Holy Spirit when we need comfort because we are having trouble resolving a conflict with those closest to us, when plans have to be scrapped due to unforeseen circumstances, or when sudden disappointment attempts to steal our joy. God comforts us when we face job losses, unmet goals, loneliness, grief, illness, separation, depression, anxiety, and relational strife; whatever we face we must remember that we can have absolute confidence in the absolute power of God to absolutely help us through the trials in our lives.
The beautiful thing is that God offers us his peace not just to carry us through our own circumstances but so we can also “comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” In God’s economy, nothing is wasted, no opportunity is ever lost! His power is multiplied through us. His grace overflows from our lives and spills into the lives of those around us.
God gives purpose to our hard places.
Joseph said to his brothers who tried to kill him, betrayed him into Egyptian slavery; Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
From the beginning, God has re-written the stories of people’s lives for His glory. Joseph, who utters the words from Genesis about God’s grace over this life, endured many hardships that began when his brothers sold him into slavery due to jealousy. Rather than letting bitterness steal his future, he relied on God’s comforting strength to help change the narrative of his life. There is 100% no circumstance that God can’t heal and then use as a blessing to others.
When you and I face difficulties remember God’s Holy Spirit is always at your disposal. While we suffer God comforts. As we heal God mercifully uses our lives to bless others who need a listening ear, wise counsel, or a love-filled embrace. Praise our God for He is a God of all Comfort! All of God’s hugs are 100% FREE!
No Matter Where You Are in Life, It’s Never Too Late. Allow Yourself New Hope.
- What kind of affliction are you facing right now? How overwhelming is it?
- Where do you tend to first turn for comfort? Or do you choose to suffer?
- How long does it take you to remember God is your Father?
- How long does it take you to remember Jesus is your Savior?
- How long does it take you to remember the Holy Spirit is your Comforter?
- Do you remember How God, Jesus, Holy Spirit brought you comfort in the past?
- Did you know God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are comforting you right now?
- Are you grateful? Are you humbled? Are you mindful of His Presence now?
- How do you express your gratitude to God for His blessings you’ve received?
- How can you share God’s comfort with others?
- How DO you share God’s comfort right now?
- Do you share God’s comfort with anyone, or do you try to keep it all to yourself?
- Having carefully pondered these questions, what is your Prayer right now?
Write YOUR prayer here ________________________________
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
Lord, my comfort, I’m often confused when I need to make important decisions about my work, my relationships, my health, or finances. Show me the way I should go when I don’t know which way to turn. Help me remember to come to you, rather than trying to figure everything out on my own. Guide me along the best pathway for my life. Advise me and watch over me. Help me to listen to your guidance and not resist it. I thank you that your unfailing love surrounds those who trust you. Let my life be the example You need it to be. Amen. Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 