Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 12, 2021
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. 4 He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. 5 That is because we receive so much comfort through Christ in the same way that we share so many of Christ’s sufferings. 6 So if we have trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is to bring you comfort from the experience of endurance while you go through the same sufferings that we also suffer. 7 Our hope for you is certain because we know that as you are partners in suffering, so also you are partners in comfort.
Good Morning! God will take care of you!
Seeking comfort from God is hard for many because in doing so we admit our own weaknesses. Paul shares that God brings comfort in our sufferings, and that within the community of faith we comfort one another, and that God’s comfort is everlasting. As Christians, we are not exempt from suffering. Christ took on all our sins so that we would be given eternal life. Paul reminds us that we share so many of Christ’s sufferings.
When we share God with non-Christians, the leading question is “so if I choose to follow Christ, will all of my worries and suffering be gone?” Even many lifelong Christians want this to be so. The next question is then, “so why should I become a Christian if my life isn’t suddenly ‘fixed?’ It sounds like I will still have all the same troubles that I have now!” These are fair questions! Let’s think about the answer!
Yes, by choosing to follow Christ all our troubles will not magically disappear, but for each challenge, each sorrow, and each feeling of being lost God will be with us to lead us through our storms. We are never alone. When we belong to the one body, the community of faith, we are surrounded by love and mercy and we support one another in Christ. Most importantly, of course, is the gift of eternal life when we choose Christ as our Lord and Savior.
God’s comfort is everlasting! God doesn’t offer a quick fix or bandaid and then leave. God promises to be with us always: through good times and bad times. Through Jesus, we find our comfort and hope. Through the Holy Spirit working within us, we learn to share God’s comfort and hope with the world.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We suffer so many afflictions as we walk our journey, but we know that you will be there to lead us when we call on you. May we learn to openly share your love and mercy with the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will share the comfort God has given me with others today.
Everything is going to be okay! Pastor Liz