Daily devotion – The God of ALL comfort!
2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
There is nothing sadder than attending a funeral which is overseen by celebrant of no faith.
The services seem to copy that of a religious service, with eulogies, and times of reflection, and try as they may to escape any resemblance of faith, words like prayer squeeze their way in otherwise the solitude of all other words surrounding death and grief ring with just noise.
But by far the saddest part of such a service without the Word of God, prayer and hope is that the grieving receive no comfort as they endure loss and then leave the service. For God alone is only able to bring comfort to the broken!
The words comfort or in some translation’s consolation are repeated ten times in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.
Comfort here is not sympathy as many believe because sympathy can weaken us instead of strengthen us. No God’s comfort puts strength into our hearts so we can face our trials and triumph over them.
Our English word comfort comes from two Latin words meaning “with strength”. The Greek word means “to come alongside and help.” It is the same word used for the Holy Spirit (“the Comforter”) in John 14 – 16.
When you find yourself discouraged because of difficult circumstances, it is easy to look at yourself and your feelings, or to focus on the problems around you. But the first step we must take is to look by faith to the Lord and realize all that God is to us.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2.
Let us pray for those who are lost that they might find Christ for in doing so they will be comforted!