The God Of All Comfort

Scripture

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

~2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT

Quote

God knows what it is like to suffer: His Son suffered on the cross for us.

~Billy Graham {Wisdom for Each Day}

I don’t know how many times I have read this passage but today, the words IN ALL OUR TROUBLES grabbed my undivided attention. Do you have troubles? My baby sister is battling breast cancer: I call that trouble. If you have a child on drugs; you know that is trouble. If you have bills you can’t pay, that is trouble. I have to admit, as I look at my own past, that some of, perhaps much of my troubles were self-inflicted but not all. I don’t know about you but it comforts me to know that Paul, the great apostle had troubles. Charles H. Spurgeon, recognized as the greatest preacher in English history, once said, “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go through.” If Paul had troubles and Spurgeon had troubles; why shouldn’t I have troubles. Spurgeon tells us what troubled him, it was fits of depression. Sometimes his depression was so severe that he stayed in bed for days. Paul refers to his troubles in Asia and we really don’t know what they were. Some believe that Paul and other believers were put in the arena with wild beast while he was at Ephesus but we don’t know for sure. Whatever it was, Paul didn’t think he would survive. If you read 2 Corinthians 1, you will see the two adjectives describing Paul’s trouble: Overwhelming and crushing! Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your problems? Have you ever felt crushed to the point that you felt it was all over?

No one is their right mind is going to pray for problems. I want to be fully sanctified but I don’t pray for God to send me suffering, although I know that is part of the process. It is not in our human nature to want to suffer. I want a pain free life. I don’t even like headaches. Not even Jesus prayed to suffer. He prayed in the garden, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Although Jesus did not look forward to the agony of the cross, He knew it was inevitable. I don’t pray for suffering but I know it is a part of life and a vital part of our sanctification. Paul’s trouble humbled him. It made him sensitive to the needs of others. He became a compassionate preacher with a deep love for those he was preaching to and it all came to pass because he suffered. No pain, no gain!

I heard about a pentecostal preacher who had suffered some set backs, he stood in the pulpit and shouted to God, “Bring it on God, I can handle it.” Listen folks, I would dare make such a challenge. My prayer is that I will be able to handle what He sends but I am not going to ask Him to send it.

Extra

Busy day yesterday but I enjoyed it. We started at the Point on Sunday Morning and then Hannah’s for lunch, then Athens to see my sister Holly and then DBC for their extravagant Christmas give-a-way and then home at about 7:00. That aint bad of a 37 year old. Hoping it will slow down some today. Going to Huntsville today but riding with Bro. Ken.

Holden’s granddaddy Fred has been real sick. He might have gotten some better last night; I hope so. Fred is a good man. I never knew him until Holden and Lexi got married. We all love Fred and are praying for his recovery. Gregg was at DBC last night eating cookies right out of the oven. Continue to pray for all our cancer warriors. Have a good Monday and a good week. Isn’t it incredible how fast December passes!

There is still hope that Lincoln can come home a few days for Christmas. Pray for his numbers to get better.

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