Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Yesterday, Psalm 116 showed us how precious our lives are to God. That theme continues to develop in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 as the apostle Paul writes about the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” (v.3-4) God cares deeply nd lovingly about every fibre of our being and every millisecond of our lives.

The immediate context is that Paul and his companions had been in grave, mortal danger in Asia (v.8-9). He does not mention the specifics here, but elsewhere in Acts and in Paul’s letters we discover that they had been subject to battles with wild beasts, a near fatal whipping of 39 lashes, a riot in Ephesus, severe persecution on Troas, and a recurring physical malady during their time in Asia.

Yet, in the very midst of these sufferings, Paul realised some wonderful truths about trouble and suffering:

• God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can be strengthened, but also so that we can pass that comfort along to others when they suffer (v.4).
• God gives us supernatural endurance to face every trial of life (v.8-9).
• When others observe us being strengthened by God like this, they are inspired to trust the Lord for patient endurance and strength in their own sufferings (v.6).
• Our suffering teaches us to rely completely on God, and to rest in the knowledge that He also raises the dead (v.9). Even the worst that the powers of sin, Satan and this broken world can throw at us (i.e. physical death) is only a doorway to the glory of thr resurrection!

No matter what difficulty, trial or suffering you may face today, rest in the knowledge that God is with you and that He is mighty to save (Zeph. 3:17). Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). He will comfort you in all your afflictions, He will strengthen you to endure. And He will either deliver you in this world or resurrect you from whatever disaster befalls you.

And today let’s also keep an eye out for others who are suffering and reach out to extend God’s comfort and strength to them. Freely we have received! Let us freely give to others.

Lord, thank You for Your perfect comfort and consolation; thank you for strengthening me and granting me endurance. May my life be a beacon of hope to others in their times of suffering, and may Your glory shine light into their darkness through me. Amen.