THE GOD OF COMFORT

Why do bad things happen to good people?

One possible answer can be found in the opening lines of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3). God may allow us to face challenges and deal with difficulties so that He, “the God of all comfort” can equip us “to comfort” others.

The Christian who has lost a loved one might be better equipped to comfort and console another who is grieving a lost family-member. A Christian who has faced a long-term illness can comfort one who is walking that similarly challenging path. And a Christian who is from a broken home might be best suited to comfort a friend facing divorce. God equips us to comfort.

Okay, but there is something even more important, more wonderful, about the opening lines of Second Corinthains. Our ever-present God is “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” He doesn’t just prepare His followers to comfort others, but He is the personal God of comfort and mercy.

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Because He faced every struggle, every affliction, every temptation, He is sympathetic to our needs. He grants mercy and extends grace and comfort to his hurting children. He invites us to “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need”(Hebrews 4:16).

Peter’s epistle invites us to “give all (our) worries and cares to God, for he cares about (us)” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT). “The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” is ever-near. He cares!

… that’s good news!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).