Easter Devotion (Day 33) - The Comfort of God and Others

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 

To fully live as Christ in the world is very often an act of rebellion. The Corinthians, who were religious minorities, felt this keenly and suffered for it, as many Christians living in hostile regions do today. Christians are also not immune from common suffering that is a very real part of everyone's life. However, we serve a God of deliverance. From the Exodus to the Resurrection to Christ's promised return, we are blessed with a God who knows our struggles, feels our pain, and offers comfort when we are distressed. 

How does God comfort us? One way is through the promises of Scripture, which assure us that the Creator of the universe is also our loving Father and Protector. Another way is through prayer. Just opening ourselves to God can be a tremendous source of peace. Paul speaks of yet another way that God sends comfort: through other believers. Paul challenges those who have experienced the comfort of God to then console others. Just as Paul was comforted by Titus when he was distressed (For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 
2 Corinthians 7:5-7), we are challenged to be conduits of the love and comfort of God to those who are in need.

Prayer: Blessed Father, may I always come to you when I am hurting. Teach me to comfort others as You comfort me. Thank you for the comfort of Your Word, prayer and other believers in my life. In Jesus name, Amen

*This devotion taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink