"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING"
2nd Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation, (or comfort)
Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:
1. In this section of 2nd Corinthians, Paul uses a form of the Greek word for comfort, (paraklesis) 10 times in this small section, 1:3-7. The word comfort is far more than a passing relief of sympathy. It pictures one who stands beside us in the midst of struggle to encourage and support. The same root word is used to speak of the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Comforter and Helper, He is our Divine Paraclete. Paul's Words affirm
(1) God, who is the Father of Jesus Christ, will comfort us in the midst of adversity.
(2) This comfort will serve us in a powerful way when God uses us to comfort others.
2. The NLT reads this way 2nd Cor 1:7 We are confident that as you share in the sufferings, you will also share in the consolation, ( comfort ) that God gives us.
3. So, this verse is one where Paul expresses an absolute confidence that for those who were suffering, that they would also experience comfort. Thus, if you are suffering today, you also can be sure that God is already, or will be soon bringing You comfort. He is with You during Your suffering, and as noted, it's to not only comfort you, ( that is to make you comfortable in your sufferings, ) but ultimately to use you to comfort other people with the very same comfort you are receiving, or will receive from God.
4. How can Paul speak with such confidence, and assurance.? Good question. Or we could say, "How does he know, and how can he be so sure, and how can we have this same confidence that he has? Well, it's because the Bible says God will comfort You. It's a promise from God who does not lie. In fact, earlier in this chapter, it tells us that God is the Father of comfort and the Father of mercies. What a wonderful Father we have.
5. And, God promises to comfort us. Well, You might say, "I know He promises, but how can I be sure He will?" Again, the Bible says, that God cannot lie. When, He makes a promise He keeps it. All of His promises are yes, and yes, not no, and no. God does not say one thing, and really mean another. He says what He means, and He does what He says He will do, He is our faithful God and Father.
6. Here's a testimony from another believer, one who you may know a little about. King David. Listen to what he said, because in it, we find, the thing we must do when suffering. Ps 40:1-3 I waited patiently for The Lord to help me and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in The Lord.
(1) The word patient, or patiently in the Bible, does not mean to just bide your time, or mark time, rather it means to wait with an expectancy upon God, that God is going to faithfully do what He has promised to do. So, it's not just waiting in the normal sense of the word, but, it's waiting with a confident hope.
(2) You can wait in this same way. This is the prescription for you, to expect God to help You, He who has promised is faithful. He will comfort you. He is with you.
A prayer:
Father, Thank You for being our Faithful, dependable, and trustworthy God. And, thank You for explaining who You are through Your precious life giving Word. We Love You, and we so enjoy You speaking to us, and we pray this day for either ourselves who may be suffering, and or someone, or some group of people we know who are suffering, that You will help them to patiently wait on You, and receive Your comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
