Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The word “comfort”, paraklesis in Greek, means to stand beside a person, encouraging and helping him or her in a time of trouble. God fulfills this role on the highest level by sending the Holy Spirit to comfort his children. Paul has learned in his many troubles that no suffering, no matter how severe, can separate those who follow Jesus from the care and compassion of their heavenly Father. God occasionally permits troubles in our lives so that we may learn to depend on him and so that we may better understand how to comfort others in their troubles.
Today’s Bible Readings:
Exodus 15:19-17:7, Matthew 22:1-33, Psalm 27:1-6 and Proverbs 6:20-26