Christians Comforting Christians
Monday’s Verses:
From 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
“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..”
Paul starts with a doxology. Before mentioning affliction, Paul lifts up who God is: the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort. That is important. We do not comfort ourselves by gritting our teeth and trying to figure out why we suffer. We are comforted by God.
One of the beautiful things about the Lutheran confession is that we receive God’s grace where we are weakest. In our suffering, we can often feel forgotten or isolated. But Scripture assures us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Paul isn’t talking about some cheap encouragement here. This comfort comes from Christ’s work of salvation.
Christ entered into human suffering. On the cross Jesus bore our sin and our mourning, even death itself. And because Christ is risen, our suffering does not get the final say. Because God raised Christ from the dead, He comes to you and me in our affliction through His promises. Promises spoken through His Word and given to us through His gifts.
Paul says something lovely after this. When we have been comforted by God, we in turn can comfort others with the same comfort. The Lord uses His church to work His mercies in this world. We have received mercy from Christ so that we can sit with others in their grief and remind them of His mercy.
This is how God’s comfort spreads through His church. Christians comfort other Christians with the promises of Christ.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
God of all comfort, You are merciful to those who suffer. In our affliction, remind us of Your mercy in Christ. Comfort us through Your Word, and give us the faith to share this comfort with others who mourn. Amen, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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