“One of the many paradoxes of the Christian life is that the grace of God is most keenly experienced not in the best (of times) but in what seems to be the worst of times. However much the Christian longs for exaltation it is when he is humble, he receives grace” (2 Cor. 12:9; 1 Pet.5:5; Jas 4:6). [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983 S. 554.]
So, Paul urges all sorrowing and troubled hearts to find strength in God. Paul knew that God gives comfort for he had been recipient of it in his afflictions. When the Christian experiences affliction he finds God’s comforts which enables him to comfort others. “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.” 2 Cor.1:3-4
God knows our need of comfort when the awful things of life plague our soul. He gives us Himself, His presence to display His mercy and wraps His comfort around us. As we humble ourselves in our time of need God shows his mercy and comfort so that we can then communicate and demonstrate it to others in need.
Have you been comforted by God? Have you demonstrated it to others? Isn’t it wonderful how much God demonstrates how much He loves us? Loves us to save us, loves us to grow us, and loves us to show mercy and comfort. SDW
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