Disclaimer: Please read the scripture references before reading this article. You may even want to look at it in various translations or even check out the original Greek to grasp a better understanding of Paul’s intended message.
For my daily devotion, I’ve been doing a study on Paul’s letters to various churches. It’s been interesting to see the different messages sent based on each congregations’ needs or spiritual level. Currently, my study has led me to the second book of Corinthians. To be honest, on this particular day I was not looking forward to reading chapter one. Typically, the beginning and ending of Paul’s letters are full of greetings or acknowledgements. That day, I wanted a deep revelation from God. However, a nagging in my spirit, compelled me to read the chapter. As I read, each verse seemed to jump out of the pages at me. What God shared with me through this chapter exceeded my expectation. It was so great that I wanted to share with you.
I love how verse 3 starts out by establishing who God is. Instead of acknowledging the problem, it immediately brings our attention to attributes of God. He is a merciful Father. He is our source of all comfort. The word merciful means “to bring relief from something unpleasant”. He doesn’t just comfort but He also brings resolution. Despite what circumstances may come our way, we must remember who God is and that He will never change.
After reading that verse, I was more than ecstatic to continue to the following verses. The chapter goes on to say we are to comfort those around us. Now that we have come through a situation, we have seen God’s provision first hand. Not only do we realize that He’ll come through for us, but we can also rest assured in the fact that He is always there. We are now able to comfort those around us who are going through similar situations. We can go beyond that and even empathize with them. This reassures us that our suffering is not in vain. The trials we face will provide us with a testimony that we can use to encourage others. Someone needs the story that only you can tell.
As I read on to verse 22, it all seems to come full circle. This verse talks about our receiving the Holy Spirit after being established in Christ. We know the Holy Spirit to be the Comforter. The evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is through speaking in other tongues. The Bible says that when we pray in the spirit, it is the Holy Spirit praying on our behalf. He is praying the perfect will of God for our circumstance. Verse 22 uses the words “installment” and “guarantees” when describing the Holy Spirit. When I think of those words, I’m reminded of a loan or business agreement. A guarantee is like a security deposit or assurance that a promise will be fulfilled. In layman’s terms, the Holy Spirit (Comforter) is there reassuring us that God will come through with His promise. We can rest assure that all things will work out.
Scripture References:
2 Cor 1:3-7 (NLT) “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”
2 Cor 1:22 (NLT) “and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.”
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