SCRIPTURE BY JANICE HALL
Lesson Text: II Corinthians 1:3-11
Related Scriptures: Psalms 72:1-24 ; John 14:15-27; 15: 18-27; I Peter 4:12-19
We learn in today’s lesson text, the Apostle Paul blesses God for comfort in and deliverance out of troubles. The apostle stated that we do not just share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ, but we also share in the goodness and glory of Jesus Christ. Psalm 71 is a prayer for God’s help in old age when enemies threaten, because they see the strength of the king is becoming weak. This psalm is a comfort for believers enduring a long trial that might drain their strength whether emotionally, mentally, or physically. Yet..the author continues to hope and praise God and makes a final plea for God to not forsake him, so that he may sing of God’s power and strength.
John 14:15-27 speaks of a prediction about the Holy Spirit. Jesus refers to this as the Spirit of Truth and the promise is that the Spirit will arrive to help the disciples after Jesus is ascended to heaven. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (vs. 15)
We see in John 15:18-27, those who followed Christ faithfully will experience persecution from the world. “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your’s also.” ( vs. 20)
I Peter 4:12-19 explains how Peter calls us to trust in our creator. These are Peter’s final words of instruction to suffering saints. Peter reminds Christians not to be surprised by ‘ fiery’ trials, but rejoice!! Trust God by continuing to do good, even though suffering for doing good, is the central theme of this letter.
SYNOPSIS BY JANICE HAL
Paul began this letter by praising the God of comfort and mercy, that was so needed. In this context (vs.3) “blessed” means God is to be praised. Also God is called the ‘God of all comfort’, more than a soothing sympathy, but with the idea of strengthening. When God comforts us, we are enabled to bring comfort to others. What Paul experienced was the strength of God to give him a spirit of peace and rest to meet the conflicts of his day.
Paul had the knowledge that his sufferings were really the sufferings of Christ. Further studies of the great descriptions of Paul’s life, filled with suffering can be found in II Corinthians 11:23-28. Paul was confident in knowing God would continue to deliver.
God brought consolation and salvation to others through Paul’s suffering, enabling the Corinthians to endure the same sufferings as Paul and the apostles. God also worked good things in them through the comfort of the Lord received by Paul. Paul was very aware that he may face death at any moment. Despite the problems of the Corinthians, Paul yet asked them to pray for him. “In all the suffering, Paul saw a divine purpose that made it all worthwhile.”
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY BRITTENNE BOYKIN
We can find no shortage of tribulation or suffering in the world. This week’s lesson provides an interesting perspective on suffering in Christ. It refocuses us not on the unavoidable trouble that we will sometimes have but on the God who is the God of all comfort (Vs.3). The Apostle Paul points the reader to a loving God who comforts us not just in some of our sufferings but all of them (Vs .4). In a world where people are often finicky or consumed with their own concerns God gives us all of his attention at all times.
There is never a time He is not laser focused on us, right in the thick of things with us. We now have a hope and a consolation in knowing we are not alone and God will see us through. Paul then encourages us in this, now that we have been comforted we can comfort others. Paul directly connects the comfort we receive from God to our responsibility to comfort others. (Vs.4) We are reminded that even though we may be hard pressed (Vs9) that God is with us.
Let us not be those who once we have been comforted are selfish with our compassion shown. This week let us look for ways to comfort those who are in need of knowing the love of God through our care.
