Summer Devotional 5
Passage: 2 Corinthians 1 :3-7
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
Reflection
This passage starts off the second letter to the Corinthians. It teaches us that there will be suffering and pain in this lifetime. However, that suffering will be accompanied by comfort. Amazingly, the comfort we receive will first come from God and second come from other believers. When the Lord comforts us, we receive a gift because we are both comforted and able to then comfort those around us. These verses remind us that we are meant to go to the Lord first in our suffering and then our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one body and that is a gift and a support system.
Reflection Questions
What does this passage teach us about trials?
Why does Paul emphasize the sufferings we will face?
How does this passage encourage you?
How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?