2 Corinth 1:3,4, “Blessed be God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and the God of all comfort; Who Comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the Comfort where with we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Most times when we are perplexed and troubled in every side; we tend to assume forsaken, forgotten, abandoned, rejected, but one thing stands out: God never forgets, He does not abandon nor reject those who are called according to his good pleasure.
Apostle Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthian was written from Macedonia in about AD 55. The epistle was supposedly delivered by Titus a companion and fellow worker with him. The second epistle to the Corinthians has about 13 Chapters and 257 verses, while the longest chapter of this epistle is chapter 11, and the chapter speaks of: Paul’s defense of his apostleship; his suffering as an apostle and his love for the Church. The Corinthian church, going through this 11th chapter, we will conclude that the Christian race is not all rosy. There are thorns here and there, but in all of our troubles as Christians; the Lord knows.
What is comfort?
• A state of physical ease and freedom from pains or constraints.
• The easing or elevation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress.
Cambridge Dictionary defines it to mean: “A pleasant feeling of being relaxed and free from pain.” The word comfort is like moving from the level of pain, suffering, anguish to a level of peace, joy, happiness. Before comfort, there was assumably some kind of suffering and pain.
The Christian man and challenge
(2 Corinth 7:5; 2 Tim 3:12)
Suffering in the Christian journey is not outdated; the fact that the Bible said: “Jesus became poor that you might be rich does not dismiss the crucible of the faith,” 2 Corinth 8:9.
Don’t be deceived
Everything you face as a challenge in this race and in life is “Common.” I Corinth 10:13. Whatever you see is common; – Yes! Common. Stop thinking the challenge is only peculiar or particular with you. No! It is common.
The word common means; it is universal – everyone knows it and experiences it; it is frequent; it is prevalent. So many people are having it or experiencing it.
Note:
• If you don’t see the problem as ‘Common.’
• You may lose the lesson God wants you to learn.
• You may not come out of it strong.
• Feeling that this case is special with you is an error and a deceit from the pit of hell…
These sufferings are temporal (2 Corinth 4:17-18)
• They are not forever.
• They are a passing phase.
• It is a chapter of life; God has not concluded with you yet.
What to do amidst suffering
• Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him, Job 13:15.
• For we walk by faith, not by sight,
2 Corinth 5:7.
• For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our [a]trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 2Corinth.1:8-9.
• For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinth 5:1. Note: God can choose to destroy this earthly house of ours; His decision is final; what if God Chooses that you will no longer exist.
• For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (Remember we are nothing without Christ.)
• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6- (Be careful, be prayerful.)
Know this and know peace
• Everything God does or allows is for a purpose. (2. Corinth 12:9, 1:9)
• Also, that you may not trust in ourselves but on the Living God (2 Corinth 4:8-12)
• In every problem you face, in every suffering, God is teaching you a lesson; see it as a learning process.
Sometimes God can choose to prune a man
• It is to cut off pride, all self and vain glory.
• it is to clean you up.
• it is to bring out your beauty.
• it is to bring out the man inside the boy.
• It is that you may yield more and much fruit.
Therefore, ask for the grace to endure the cutting off. What is God cutting off in your life? Yes! It is painful, that is why it is called pruning; It is a cutting off, a removal of the odd.
These life process could actually result to renewal of God’s power and grace (2. Corinth 48.16).
The God of all comforts
Comforts are in levels: sometimes it is immediate, futuristic, physically, spiritually, earthly or heavenly. God will never leave you without a consolation.
“But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause – Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields. He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.” (Job 5:8-13).
Who do you turn to in your affliction; to man or to God?
(Jer 17:5-6; Psalm 146: 3; Rom 8:28)
• Micah 7:56. Trust you not in a friend, put you not confidence in a guide…
• Read Psalm 118:8; It is better to take refuge in the Lord than trust in man;
• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Prov 3:5,
• He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered, Prov 28:26.
• Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8.
• Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’”
• Isaiah 12:2.
• Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption, Psalm 130:7.
The Venerable Dr. Stephen Wolemonwu, Rector, Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor
