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DEVOTION

2 CORINTHIANS

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2 Cor 1:3-4

3 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 have received from God. NIV

Who of us would refuse accepting compassion and comfort from God? Surely we might experience some troubles in this life, and it is in those times when we are in real need of the Father’s compassion and comfort. It may be necessary for us to actually look for that compassion and comfort instead of simply wallowing in self-pity over our troubles. Sometimes we might wonder if God is really showing us any compassion or comfort when we are going through those times of trouble. Maybe we think that if He was compassionate enough we would not have to experience those troubles. Why would he let us have to be exposed to those troubles? Why wouldn’t he just take them away, if he had enough compassion? But that is not the case, no He shows us compassion and comfort in the midst of those times, giving us the assurance we will get through and in fact be a better person on the other side. He has told us that tribulations works in us to produce patience. We are also told to even consider it pure joy when we experience trials. But the point here is in the fact that we, having experienced the compassion and comfort from God, can exhibit that same compassion and comfort to others when they are going through troubled times. Now we would think that they should just look to God for that compassion and comfort as we do, but maybe, just maybe those who we should show this compassion and comfort to are not believers.  Maybe this is the whole point of our knowing this compassion and comfort from God, so we can demonstrate his person to those who do not know him. We get a chance to show him off.