"....God, Who Comforts the Downcast...."

"Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus...." (2 Corinthians 7:6)

The proud person will not receive a "Titus."  He doesn't need him because he/she is self sufficient, spiritual, more mature, doesn't need what the rest of us need.  Paul, however, was not such a one.  He says in the previous verse, "For indeed when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side.  Outside were conflicts, inside were fears."  Imagine, the great Apostle, who wrote most of the New Testament Epistles, was admitting to, "conflicts," and, "fears."  But we cannot admit to that.  We might lose our status as the comforter of others, while we are too mature to need such comfort.  Right.

Our Lord Jesus received comfort from an angel in the Garden in His "greatest" moment of decision.  Who do we think we are?  You and I are no less in need of comfort, the strengthening power of that "Titus" Jesus may bring our way.  Most religious people are able to give; they talk of their desire to be "used by the Lord."  Too many times that is just ego talking.  When many give, there is a subtle tendency to feel superior to the person to whom they give.  The "lesser" needs; the "greater" supplies.  Pride can function in this way for a very long time.

How are you at receiving "Titus."  Lay aside any pride which always wants to function as the giver and not the receiver.  Our Lord said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  We can negate this in our lives, however, if our giving does not conform to what Phillips translates of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4, "....it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance."  We can miss great comfort if we will only receive input/comfort from above and not from beneath, i.e., "big names" as opposed to "no names."  Our Lord Jesus will many, many times bring a "Titus" who is, "the least of these."   

There are people around you (Jesus will see to this) who are willing and eager to be a "Titus" to you.  Perhaps "he/ she" is near you now and you do not recognize them (or cannot allow yourself to receive them).  Away with such spiritual pride so that you can receive the comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ, "the God of all comfort," Who is in that "Titus."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, if I have ever been too proud to receive Your "Titus," forgive me.  I did it to my own hurt.  Open my eyes to receive Your Comfort from unexpected "sources."  Amen.

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Would you please place a "post it" somewhere to remind yourself to pray for our daughter, Shelly, during these last weeks of her pregnancy.  This Dad would be most appreciative.  

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