The God of All Comfort

Today's Reading:
1 Kings 15:25-17:24
2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Psalm 94:1-11 
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Focus Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Insight:
God is compassionate. He sees our troubles and sustains us. He knows our pain and comforts us. For this, we should offer him praise and thanks.   The comfort we receive from God enables us to bring comfort to others around us as they encounter trouble and despair.

Response and Action:
I need to take notice of the many ways God has sustained, comforted, and brought me through troubles and hardships. I will praise God for his love and provision and promises. I need to be mindful of those around me who are experiencing trouble, and then do what I can to pass along the same comfort I have received. I can be a source of God's compassion and encouragement to others. I will look to God for the grace to endure trouble. I will endeavor to be a channel of God's grace and comfort to others facing trouble and heartache.

O God, thank you for the grace and comfort you extend to me through your word, your Spirit, your people, and your provision. I praise you for being a God of comfort and consolation. Help me to always look to you for the strength and hope I need to face my troubles. Give me eyes to see the hurts of those around me. Give me a heart of compassion toward them, and give me the readiness to be an instrument of comfort in their lives. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Resources:
Life Together
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer