“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. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT
Four mentions of the word “comfort” over these two verses, so Paul must have considered it an important subject, and, making it the first thing he wrote about after his greeting, emphasised it more. The dictionary defines the word “comfort” as “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain and restraint”. In those days, being a Christian wasn’t an easy choice, particularly for those in a society hostile to the suggestion that there was a God higher and more powerful than their gods. Providing comfort to the persecuted was essential, and Paul reminded the Corinthians that God was the Source of all comfort. Another theme emerges from these two verses: the necessity for the Christian family to pull together, comforting one another in the many troubles they were experiencing. So, we have God as the Source of all comfort, providing the resources His children need to comfort one another. As Jesus taught, “ … I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34). John also wrote, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). There is a connection between love and comfort, and they go hand in hand to help those in trouble.
“God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted“.
What sort of troubles did the Corinthians experience? Early on in the Beatitudes, Jesus mentioned a big one: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). As we read in Psalm 34:18, God draws close to those who are grieving after losing a loved family member or a dear friend: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed”. To such people, there is also the comfort of knowing that our believing loved ones will be in a place that Jesus called Paradise, the comfort He gave to the penitent thief on the cross. Heaven is a better place free from the troubles people face in this world, and it is a tragedy that so many of our fellow members of society have rejected eternal life there. John had a revelation about Heaven, and he wrote, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” (Revelation 21:3-4).
Another trouble that people experience is weariness. Jesus offered an invitation in Matthew 11:28-20, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. People are often carrying heavy burdens they are not designed to bear. Burdens such as the worries of bringing up a family as a single parent. Burdens such as having to work at a job that is making us anxious. Sometimes, our brothers and sisters are burdened with the cares and troubles of living, but whatever they are facing, Paul wrote something just for them: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). By so doing, Christians are providing comfort to each other.
Jesus promised His disciples that He wouldn’t leave them as orphans after He left this world. John 14: 16, 26 (KJV), “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; … But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”. It is an amazing truth that within each believer is a home for the Holy Spirit, and through Him we will receive all the comfort that we need.
We pilgrims are never alone, having to experience troubles in our lives. With God with us, and close to us, we have the Source of comfort available at all times. Psalm 139:5-6, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” and Psalm 23:6, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever”. Peter also wrote, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). Repeating the verse where we started today, “God is [indeed] our merciful Father and the source of all comfort“.
Dear Father God. Thank You for caring for us. This world is a lonely and hostile place without the touch of Your gracious and loving hands. We worship You today. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 