"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Cor. 1:3, 4- NASB)
A group of us were in Washington, DC, yesterday. Over the years of my involvement in our nation's capitol, I have had the privilege to share my testimony of the loss of our oldest child, Stephen, with intercessors, government officials, and others. Our text today is a description of the privilege and responsibility of any Follower of Jesus Christ.
Our God and Father is, "our merciful Father and the God of all comfort." The word for, "comfort," here is the same word translated, "Comforter," in John's Gospel. In my deepest hour of need, my deepest sadness, deepest loneliness, and my deepest helplessness, I came to know as I had never known, "God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort" (NLT). Had He not been, I shudder to think where and what I might be. But He Is; and I am here, still energized, encouraged, empowered, continuing in, "the works of service," still loving Him, serving Him, praising Him, and all because He and He alone is, "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (NIV).
You and I have a great privilege and responsibility today, "to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." My comfort today, yesterday, and tomorrow is Jesus Christ, Who Is with me and in me in the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Jesus "appeared" to me that dark, rainy day in July of 1970. It was the closest to a vision I have ever had. He was standing there, right in front of me with a sober, yet powerfully, unequalled look of confidence and unswerving you-can-do-this. "Son, you can sit here the rest of your life and pity yourself, or, you can get up and follow Me." My, "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort," by His indwelling Presence picked me up and, by and in His grace alone---------------------- I'M STILL HERE!
Father, in Jesus' Name, "through [very] many [and deep] dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;" and only You, "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies and God of all comfort," can "lead me Home." Amen.
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Be Sure to Read the Great Article by Carolyn Glick at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Berlin/East Europe Mission: March 26-April 25
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
