Paul was an apostle of Christ, and especially so for the church in Corinth. His first letter to them not only contained many rebukes, but also the most encouraging testimony of the gospel of the resurrection. He saw the Corinthians as those made holy through Christ Jesus, and Paul now wanted them to have God's comfort. If they had troubles and sufferings, they were sharing in Paul's sufferings and even Christ's sufferings. Paul reminded them of God who is the Father of compassion. Godly comfort is not the absence of suffering but the hope of being bound to the Lord Jesus. After all, Jesus suffered to bear our sins and produce in us endurance and hope.

Paul was under tremendous pressure as he preached the gospel-so much so that he despaired of life. But when he held on to God and relied on him, he found that he was delivered every time. More than that, he learned that God is the deliverer. He delivered Paul, and he would continue to deliver Paul. God did this to demonstrate that he raises the dead. He delivers us from the power of death and grants us grace.


Application: Lord, you are God who delivers. Bless me to know you-the God of all comfort.
One Word: God of comfort, God who delivers