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| Photo by The Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ " ... At Work" |
From 2 Corinthians 1: 1-10
Courtesy of BibleGateway.com
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all
the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace
be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which
are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God.
5 For
as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by
Christ.
6 And
whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is
effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or
whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And
our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the
sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For
we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in
Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we
despaired even of life: 9 But
we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in
ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who
delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he
will yet deliver us;
~ MEDITATION ~
Our Heavenly FATHER comforts us in all our tribulations. This is our Peace, our great security.
Comfort, you may recall, by the ancient etymology, means "with strength." That tells us that HIS comfort is not mere sympathy. It is not merely tenderness. And, THIS COMFORT is in no way to be associated with a sentimental emotion here in Scriptures.
No. This particular word, "comfort," comes with STRENGTH and that very strength is WITH US.
We know this is true because the Greek word translated into the King's English as COMFORT is ParakLAtos.
The Paraklete is the STRONG ONE Who comes along-side to help, the HOLY SPIRIT, yes, the Comforter Himself.
HE comforts us in all our tribulations SO THAT we can extend that same kind of comfort to those who are in trouble.
This is our work.
Like as our sufferings for CHRIST abound, so does our consolation in CHRIST abound. That's HIS+ Grace !
AS we have suffered for others' consolation and salvation, they too will suffer for CHRIST if they become HIS+.
That is our assurance that our work is not in vain.
And then, they too will partake of HIS+ consolation. This is HIS+ promise to them and to us.
Now then, we are to embrace the sentence of death within ourselves, for CHRIST'S sake, BECAUSE Our LORD raises His+ dead ones. That means HE+ is able to grant us Victory over our enemies in this life, if it please HIM+... or to grant us Victory over our enemies by taking us to Heaven, if it is His+ Will at that time. Either way, we win!
~ PRAYER ~
O LORD, Who+ comforts me with special strength whenever I need it, I thank You+ for every trial and tribulation ... for they are drawing me closer to You+ ...and YOU to me!
Worthy is the LAMB+ !
O, Worthy is the LAMB+
that was slain!
Thank You+ for coming close to me when I have sufferings of heart and body and anguish of soul.
Worthy is the LAMB+ !
O, Worthy is the LAMB+
that was slain!
Blessed be THEE, O LORD, Who enables me to suffer alongside of my SAVIOR+.
Worthy is the LAMB+ !
O, Worthy is the LAMB+
that was slain!
Blessed be The Wisdom and Power of GOD, Who sends me the HOLY SPIRIT to come alongside of me during my sufferings. For when I am weak, You+ become my total strength.
Worthy is the LAMB+ !
O, Worthy is the LAMB+
that was slain
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory
and blessing.
Blessing and honor
and glory and power
be unto HIM+ that
sitteth upon the throne
and unto The LAMB+
Forever and ever
Amen.
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