Scripture
By Janice Hall
God’s Comfort in Trouble
Lesson Text; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Related Scriptures; 1 Peter 4:12-19
Instead of beginning the letter with a thanksgiving which he does in other letters, Paul begins with a blessing that calls on God. These verses show profound praise to God for His comfort of all in affliction. Paul invites the Corinthians to participate in the celebration of God’s power by continuing to pray for Paul and his companions, and to give thanks for God’s deliverance.
In 1 Peter 4: 12-19, Peter continues to describe how Christians should respond when faced with persecution. We are to take on Christ’s attitude and expect God’s purpose for one’s life. One is to be alert so an effective prayer life will be steadfast in these end times. Let us therefore entrust our souls to our faithful Creator, by doing what is right, for this will bring glory to His name. There is no comparison between what we suffer now and what the unrighteous will suffer later.( 1 Peter 4:18).
Synopsis
By Charlene Brown
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, it dealt with false teachers of whom had infiltrated the church and had the believers questioning Paul’s teachings to be true or false. In this second epistle, we find some of the believers with a repentant heart accepting the truth and are in dire need of encouragement in their faith from a tested servant of God, the Apostle Paul.
The scriptures give us great insight into the life of the Apostle Paul, for we know that Paul’s assignment wasn’t one that he chose, yet Paul was chosen by God for His purpose. We see here that purpose was to encourage and comfort God’s people. Isaiah 40:1 tells us, “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God”. Paul reminds us that the love we have towards one another is expressed when we show concern towards each other during times of suffering. We become equipped to comfort in each other’s sufferings.
Pastor Hillman started a new bible study series based on this very principle, “The Practice of Coming Alongside”. Some of us may be struggling and need someone to come alongside in our emptiness and not be judgmental, but be present to help. The church at Corinth had Paul’s life as a model of what it looks like to be comforted by God and persevere during times of affliction. Paul trusted God and knew He was a God of comfort. As God comforts us we in turn are required to comfort each other, even through praying for one another.
Practical Application
By Raufu Spagnoletta
God comforts us in our affliction is the theme of our lesson. The Apostle Paul, who suffered much for the sake of Christ (Acts 9:16), details God’s divine purpose in our suffering: to equip us to comfort others with the same comfort we have received from Him; to train us to rely totally on Him in our suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9-10); to understand prayer is how we persevere in suffering. The bottom line , our response to suffering is not to escape it but to endure it!
What does endurance in suffering produce in us? Trials produce mature faith (James 1: 2-4); endurance produces preservance, strength, character and hope (Romans 5:3-4). What is the eternal reward of our endurance? “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” ( James 1:12). Armed with this truth, let us come boldly to the throne of grace asking God for His mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus has much to teach us about enduring suffering: we bring God glory when we endure suffering! (Luke 24:26) . Our perseverance in suffering becomes the pathway of deliverance for others. (Hebrews 12: 2). Who has God called you to comfort, to come alongside to encourage and strengthen? Who has God identified as one who is experiencing what you suffered and endured? Who is in need of your prayers and your presence?
