2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-6 – For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

THEME OF THE DAY. A MINISTER OF COMFORT. Today‘s scripture finds the Apostle Paul hurting. Suffering in the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms grips him – our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn – fighting without and fear within. He is exhausted, fighting spiritual warfare outside of himself, and having to engage the formidable foe of fear within his own heart. If ever a believer needed comfort, it was Paul. No doubt he prayed for God‘s comfort as he was a man of prayer. And no doubt God answered his prayer for comfort, but perhaps not like we may think. God didn‘t “zap” Paul out of his pain in the privacy of himself. He comforted Paul by sending his brother in the faith, Titus – But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. God used another Christian to help another Christian in need and pain. Earlier in this letter to the Corinthians, Paul would teach this important lesson; God uses human instruments to minister His comfort to His hurting children – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). And that brings us to a little self-examination.

If God uses His people to comfort His people, are we being used by Him? Are we ministers of comfort to God‘s hurting people? To be such instruments in the hands of God, two things are necessary. First to be ministers of comfort, we need to be aware of those who need comfort. That means involvement. That means perhaps getting out of our comfort zones to engage people. That means have the eyes and heart of Jesus toward people. But that is only part of being equipped to be ministers of comfort.

Next, we must take having the eyes and heart of Jesus to putting “feet” on those eyes and heart or simply being active to meet the need for comfort. Prayer for them but also interaction with them. Seek them out like Jesus seeks us out. Go to them in Jesus‘ name for Jesus‘ sake and with Jesus‘ comfort. A good model of reaching out the hurting is the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Take time and read it soon – Luke 10:25-37. We will observe one who saw a person in need, went to the person in need, and provided the comfort for the person in need. He models a minister of comfort. May we go and do likewise.

PRAYER: ―”Father, help me to be a comfort and blessing to Your children faithfully and intentionally.”
QUOTE: ― “God uses His people to comfort His people leading to the question ‘Is He using us?‘”