See the Hand of God #12

Ever feel like second fiddle, or that you came up on the short end of the stick. These are terms which mean you feel cheated or that you are not given enough credit. I have often wondered what writers of the Bible feel like concerning their particular book of the Bible. Like for instance: if you were Nahum how do you think you would feel if someone entered heaven and Nahum met them and said, ‘How did you like my Book?’ and they shrugged their shoulders. The truth is most of us would know nothing about the book and many would not even know it exists. Poor Nahum!

Such is the case of First and Second Corinthians. Although Paul wrote both letters it appears to me that Second Corinthians is often overlooked because of its predecessor. Second Corinthians is a book of encouragement and deserves a close look. Paul begins his second letter with the announcement of the God of all comfort. What an encouragement. There is a God who cares enough about all of your needs that He comforts.

“He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

The Greek word used to describe God the Holy Spirit, used in John 14:26, is parakletos and is translated comforter. God Himself is the comforter. He is always there to bring comfort in our times of trouble. There is an inner peace and joy that God sends our way to counterbalance the difficulties life sends us. Even when we are unaware of His presence He is still there. We often say that hindsight is twentytwenty. That is certainly true as we look back and recognize the hand of the God of all comfort touching our fragile lives at those moments when trouble knocks at our door.

There is a reason for the comfort; “so that we may comfort others. When others are troubled , we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT). I have often said that ‘God uses people.’ That means He will use you to be a comforter to the people He puts in your life. It is also true that God used people to bring you comfort. What a brilliant idea. God seems to have those quite often. Why not look for the opportunity today to comfort someone.

I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.