Pass It On
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
The God of all comfort … comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble …
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
While visiting a church in Brazil, I had an opportunity to meet a woman who was worshiping there for the first time. She had come to Sao Paulo for cancer surgery—scared and afraid of what the future held. She didn’t know anyone in the city, but she reached out to others through a phone ministry run by our media staff. She came to faith in Christ, and now was attending worship for the first time. Later I heard that her cancer was in remission and she was involved in staffing the same phone ministry that helped in leading her to Christ.
Her experience mirrors our text from 2 Corinthians 1. Paul speaks honestly about suffering. The Christian faith does not give us an escape from the tough stuff of life. In fact, we are so connected with Jesus that the “sufferings of Christ” will become part of our own stories. But Paul explains that where suffering flows, there also the comfort of Christ overflows! This encouraging consolation comes from the Father—and once we’ve received it, we’re empowered to share it with others!
The amazing thing about the Christian life is that the more you share the comfort of God with others, the more it will bubble forth from your own heart.
With whom can you share God’s comfort today?
Lord, make us channels of your peace and comfort. Because we have received much, may we give freely, and so be prepared to receive even more. Amen.
About the author — Bob Heerspink
Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.
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