2 Corinthians 1

Bible Passage:  2 Corinthians 1

We return to the Epistles of Paul with his second letter to the Corinthians.  Paul has said quite a bit to the members at Corinth in his first letter?  Do you remember any of it?

As I was reading today’s passage, I could not help but recall last Sabbath afternoon’s sermon by Pr Kong – “Lord, Save Me!”.  In his sermon, he said that when we are faced with calamities and trials, we will all know how to call out to the Lord to save us.  But the question is:  Do we cry out with fear, doubts and misgivings… or do we cry out to the Lord with the assurance in faith that the Lord will indeed save us….  And if He does not, He will be preserving us for the eternal home!

Paul certainly belonged to the latter.  In fact, he turned the whole issue of trials and disasters around.

See how he starts off his letter?

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

~ 2 Corinthians 1:1-4

It is very rare for a Christian to go through life without facing any troubles or trials.  And when we are faced with them, how do we react?

Is your responses often, “Why me Lord?” “Why now?”  Why this trial?” “Why…. why…. why…..???”

We have even seen great men of God like Elijah who reacted to in somewhat similar fashion when the going got tough… but when burdens grow, comfort seems so far away.

We know that the Lord will help us through these difficult times and we also believe that this is for our good.  But at that time, all we can feel is pain.  A numbing pain that refuses to go away.

And we go back to thing we know what to say… “WHY?”

Paul was very succinct in his answer to our question – “… that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God>”

God comforts us in so many ways.  In His Word and sermons.  In His sacraments where we are reminded of His grace.  Through a friend or loved one.  In ways we very often do not expect.

And when we have received comfort from these distresses. we can use the strength and peace that came from the comforts we received to now go on and comfort others when they need it.

So, God’s answer when we ask “Why me, Lord, why now?” is usually, “Because I will use you later.”

This adds another element to our prayer when we say “Your will be done.”  To be able to be part of God’s will is a wonderful thing as it is more important than our own will.  And now this will also includes the fact that God will use us to comfort others in their need.

Think about it for a moment.

Is there any one you can comfort today with the comfort that you have received from the Lord previously?  I am sure there are.

Have a blessed week ahead.

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