“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort...
“The Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you,.. was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. It is God who establishes us with you in Christ,.. and has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit… as a guarantee…
“We work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7,19-22,24b
Paul is passionate about the gospel, and weaves its powerful truths and supreme grace through every message. Addressing the Corinthian church about the glories of shared suffering because of experiencing the comfort of God, he tells them this comfort will become part of their story to others. Faith would enable them to count on the sure promises of God in every trial.
Many are the ups and downs of daily life, and the questions about now and the future. Practically, we endure pains, difficult individuals, fractured relationships, unanswered needs, concerns or fears about the unknown next. Yet in our fluctuations of incident and emotion, God is constant, and His word holds true. We can live triumphantly in the present because of the assurance that God will fulfill His word in His way and time.
God does indeed work all things for good for those who love Him. He is able to redeem and restore what has been broken and lost. The suffering He allows today makes way for His comfort, the tumultuous storms for His calming peace. (Joel 2:25; Mark 4:35-39; Romans 8:28-30)
What areas of our lives are in flux, and how are we handling them? Where are we asking ‘why’ and ‘how, where the Lord says ‘Yes!’?’ What scriptural promises will we count on in order to stand firm?
“Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
“Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.” ~Kathrina Von Schlegel (1752)
Lord, help me trust and glory in Your yes.
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