Comfort In Suffering

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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
[2 Corinthians 1:3-6 NKJV]

Suffering - tribulation as it says in 2 Corinthians - is an inevitable part of life, whether you are a Christian or not. It is in the essence of the human condition. Man has tried many ways to alleviate suffering, but has never succeeded. But suffering is not something you can 'fix'.

This is not to decry the many amazing life-saving advances in medical science, which have brought healing to so many of us. They can perform wonderfully as far as body and soul are concerned; but do little or nothing to the spiritual damage in the wake of sickness, accident or trauma.

Only the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort can bring effective and lasting healing to the spirit; to the whole - body soul and spirit. A healed spirit infuses through the soul and body to bring comfort and restoration.

A neighbour of ours has just lost his partner in a road accident, as she was travelling home from England. She was tired because of the long journey, made even longer by yet another landslip on The Rest and Be Thankful. An inexpressible tragedy, and one that could afflict any one of us. Maybe something similar already has. Tragedy does not play favourites.

Our neighbour may be a believer or not, but He needs the Lord's consolation and comfort to get through the profoundly dark days ahead. God does not play favourites either - He desires that all may come to Him and receive comfort (but not necessarily in that order).

PRAYER: Lord, we ask that you touch that gentle man in his spirit mind and body and bring him comfort; console Him  and lead him through this time of suffering, hurt and anguish. Lay Your healing hand upon all who suffer; let them turn to see your face and recognise Your love. In Jesus, name, Amen

Heal My Broken Heart -- Patty Felker

OSWALD CHAMBERS -- RUN TODAY'S RACE
Friday 18th September 2020
When we are standing face to face with Jesus and He says "Believest thou this?" our faith is as natural as breathing, and we say "Yes, Lord," and are staggered and amazed that we were so stupid as not to trust Him before.