Power of God's Word - Comfort and Hope

Saturday, March 20, 2010

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be God, even the Father of our LORD JESUS Christ, the Father of mercies, and the GOD of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of GOD. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our counsolation also aboundeth by Christ, and whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing that, as ye are partakers of the suffering, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Many people are suffering in many different ways throughout this world. The verse for today, speaks a word of encouragement to all who are suffering in any way. The words of St. Paul are an answer to the eternal question: "Why is there so much suffering in the world? Why do good people suffer?" Paul says that it is part of the sufferings of Christ and that it is Jesus Christ who gives comfort in those times. Then it is our task to comfort others with the Love of Christ, giving consolation and comfort to them, with the compassion of Christ.

We are the hands and feet of Christ in this world, bringing hope to the hopeless, peace to the troubled, rest to the weary, healing to the sick, comfort to those who mourn. We bring beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

We bring the Love of Christ into this world