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Friday, February 3, 2023

2 Corinthians 1:3,4

"The God Of All Comfort"

Message summary: Today, may those of you impacted by situations that “make no sense” find great peace in these words from the apostle Paul: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). He is indeed "the God of all comfort".

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“Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him” (Acts 8:2). “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

We have mentioned several times about my cousin*, who passed away last week during surgery, a complete shock to her family. Her service was this Monday and we watched it online. It was very moving with her two brothers sharing of their love for their younger sister.

But one very candid statement stood out; one brother shared how he was angry. I don't believe it was evidence of any loss of faith but rather raw, candid emotion as the grieving process proceeds. Each of us can probably recall a time when we've been angry about hurtful or sorrowful circumstances that pains us so deeply anger soared within our emotions.

BookYears ago Dr. James Dobson wrote a book titled, “When God Doesn’t Make Sense”. That’s sort of a titillating title, but for many of us it does express well our own thoughts in regard to the mysteries of God’s providence, especially when it personally affects us.

Some circumstances hit home that affect our immediate or extended family. Other situations may involve close friends. Virtually all of our readers can scroll back through their memory and recall such a time. My first exposure occurred when I was as a child and one of my cousins was in an automobile accident and his wife, a young mother to several children, died. I so poignantly recall my grandfather loudly wailing when he received the news.

But there have been many “It Just Doesn’t Make Sense” experiences since then and of course in regard to our pastoral and chaplaincy ministry we have frequently sought to console those going through various traumatic situations when it just doesn’t make sense (not even to us).

People, at any given time, are experiencing heartache of some type that just doesn’t make sense. Due to the size of our planet most never make the news or at most only the local news.

For many, events like this either becomes a crisis of faith (for believers) or an excuse not to believe (for unbelievers).

Burial of John the BaptistConsider John the Baptist. He was specially called to serve God from his very conception. He had prepared the way for Christ to appear in human flesh and even baptized Him. He had taken a bold stand for truth and righteousness before an ungodly king and was beheaded as a result. Consider his disciples. They had the grisly chore of taking his body and burying it.  What were they thinking?  What a great test of faith they endured. Surely, like us, they wondered, “Why did God allow this to happen?”

Stephen's stoningOr consider Stephen who stood boldly for Christ and was stoned, the first named Christian martyr. Afterwards, “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him” (Acts 8:2). Have you ever really pondered this verse? "Godly men", what a descriptive designation. Unnamed and unknown men have been at the core of the church from the beginning (as well as unnamed and unknown women!)

Surely their emotions were no less intense than they are for us in our personal losses. To “mourn deeply” has the sense of great lamentation. The literal Greek meaning is “to beat the breast in grief”. Did they “understand” any better than we do? Surely they did not.

Above all, consider the Lord Jesus Christ, who endured such opposition from sinful men and was murdered on our behalf.

Some of you have experienced great loss in your life and your faith is tested, sometimes greatly. Jesus forthrightly told us, “In the world you will have tribulation” so why are we surprised when we do experience tribulation! But at times of tribulation like this, faith is also demonstrated in such a powerful way.

Today, may those of you impacted by situations that “make no sense” find great peace in these words from the apostle Paul: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). He is indeed "the God of all comfort".

Romans 8:28Finally let us again recall the great statement of assurance many of us have memorized from Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

In some cases we’ll just have to wait for the other side to make sense of what we are unable to make sense of on this side of heaven. Through it all, let us stay faithful and have a rich assurance of God’s steadfast love!


Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)


Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father of All Comfort, I look to You for consolation and peace most especially during times of deep sorrow and inner turmoil. Incredibly Your supernatural peace does not depend on the physical circumstances seen by my eyes or heard by my ears. You raise me up out of the gloom of despair as I place my hope not in the visible circumstances, but rather in You who renews my strength. You enable me to soar on wings like eagles far above the troubling circumstances that weigh me down. Keep my eyes, my ears and my heart lifted up to the heavens where Your divine presence combats the assaulting storms of life. I lift up all my brothers and sisters who are storm weary, asking You to renew their strength as You help them to endure the trials of life this day. Your comfort is inexhaustible and Your compassion overflows. Thank You, God, Father of all Comfort. Amen.

* Actually a second cousin, the daughter of my much older cousin. When I grew up she related more like a first cousin to me and of course as you get older the difference in age means less and less. She was at our family reunion this last summer here in Lancaster County and stopped by our house for the first time. She will be remembered for her smile and incredibly pleasant outlook. She brightened any room she was in.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"There is Hope"  Video  CityAlight  For several years I have appreciated the thoughtful music from this Australian group and came across this new song that fits well with today's message.

"When Trials Come"  Video  Together For The Gospel Live

"God Still Has a Plan"  Video  The Isaacs

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"  Video  The Petersens  (a family group from Branson, MO)

"Tears Are A Language"  Video  The Booth Brothers  This is one of the first song Brooksyne sang as a "special".

An interesting response to yesterday's message which we illustrated by alluding to the retiring Tom Brady as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).

Josh, a local friend shared that he spoke last week at a teen retreat in which they studied about John the Baptist, whom Jesus referred to in Luke 7:28 as the GOAT. He said the least in the Kingdom is greater than John the Baptist. We then studied John’s life story especially in John 1 and John 3:22-30 where his humility and commitment to Jesus were so powerfully illustrated.



Weber couple photo 7/3/22
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.



Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."



 
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