Week 38
2 Corinthians 7:6 “But God who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”
We may rightly and truly describe God in many biblical ways. He is the God of power, the God of sovereignty, the God of eternality, and the God of holiness. There are a multitude of rightful descriptions of His greatness and goodness. But the text before us today gives us a powerful definition of our great and gracious God: “God who comforts the downcast.”
Our precious Lord knows that we are flesh. He sees fully the weaknesses of our humanity, and He pities us as a father pities his children (Psa. 103:13-14). He knows our every weakness and intercedes for us accordingly (Hebr. 4:15). Thus, the Lord is called by the apostle Paul, “the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3).”
Are Christians sometimes downcast? Are there times when God’s precious blood-bought children grieve and experience sadness of soul? Yes, more than some might imagine. The unsaved world has no idea how much Christians struggle and fight against deep shadows of soul! The devil seems to be like a hell-hound snapping at our heels and would slaughter us if our Savior would allow it, but He won’t! Even though the enemy of our faith like a roaring-lion prowls about seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8), our victorious and loving Shepherd defends and protects us.
Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, “comforts us.” He comforts us with His Scripture, and He comforts us in prayer. In addition, He comforts us with His providence. He comforts us! In the incarnation the Son of God condescended to enter into our world of sorrow and loss, and so, He also enters into our experiences of the same. He brings to us in the midst of these trials His love, grace, and strength. He will not leave us to the winds of fate; He speaks to these winds and calms them for the protection and care of His children.
He sometimes brings comfort through human instrumentation. Paul described that God comforted him by sending Titus, a dear and faithful brother in the cause of Christ. Titus came to Paul, Titus’ coming comforted Paul, but Paul saw in this person’s coming the hand of God. God often uses people as His sovereign and providential instruments. (And, oh it is so delightful to be used by God as an instrument of comfort in the life of another!) Paul saw behind the coming of this dear brother the caring and providing hand of God. Paul had eyes to see the goodness of God in the coming of a brother in Christ. We must learn to interpret the merciful gifts of God on a daily basis in the simple provisions of life. This is God’s doing.
Dear friend, do not flag or fail; keep going. The God of the Christian is the God of comfort. He knows your need; He knows your hurt, and He will provide comfort for you in the most surprising ways. Receive His comfort and revel in it. Give thanks to the God of all comfort.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I know You are with me. Thank You for that. Please grant to me the mercy of Your comfort in this hour of trial. Amen.
