Comfort in the midst of afflictions
II Corinthians 1:1-8
Every man and women ever born has experienced periods of afflictions at various times in their lives. No one is exempt. No one likes it, and as such we have developed ways to try to alleviate the experience. Turn on the TV and we listen to hundred of commercial for drugs to help in these times.
The apostle Paul, was a man accustom to affliction and suffering. Read II Cor 4:8-12; 6:4-10 and Ch 11:23-27. But Paul had a solution, he looked to God who is the source of all comfort
The Biblical word for comfort, means to ‘come along side to help’. The word is often translated as exhortation, encouragement, consolation besides comfort. Note verse 6. Biblical comfort is not a feeling of contentment, not some tranquilizing dose of grace that only dulls the pain BUT a stiffening agent that fortifies our heart, mind and soul. God’s comfort strengthens weak knees and sustains sagging spirits so that we can face the troubles of life with unbending resolve and unending assurance In our text, Paul is thanking God for two reasons for the comfort he has received from God. The first reason, found in verses 4-7, reveals that affliction causes us to develop a strong trust in this God of all comfort. Also it causes us to be able to comfort others going thru their affliction. The second reason, Paul is thanking God is found in verses 8-11. God does deliver us from these affliction. He did with Paul and will do so with us. Note also in verse 11, the great importance of prayer for that one going thru the afflictions
A companion verse for our text is found at II Cor 12:9-10
Dr. Little says this about affliction and comfort. “ Paul wrote that any amount of suffering is worth enduring, for affliction makes God’s people realize that God is the only One on whom we can rely. It is worse to enjoy the comforts of this world and remain deceived. Depending on our selves ultimately leads to destruction, because people cannot rescue themselves from death. If affliction in your life produces nothing more than a fervent dependence on God and a renewed prayer life, then in God’s eyes the affliction may have been well worth the painâ€.