November 7, 2024-Pastor Bill’s Reading Plan

November 7     2 Corinthians 1

We read in this section about God's comfort.  He gives comfort in the midst of dark times.  He gives comfort when we face loss and hurt.  This is not saying he takes away all of those problems.  It is not always an opportunity that comes where he takes away the problem we face immediately.  It is his grace and comfort that sustains us through our afflictions.  He expects that we in turn encourage and help those who are going through a hard time around us.  We find comfort in the Lord, and we can also help others find comfort from God.  God's comfort can bring peace into the midst of storms in life.  So often we want answers.  We want an explanation from God on why things happen in life.  But the truth is that an explanation may not make us feel better.  God could give us all the details about why something may have happened, and it may help us understanding but not is likely to take away the hurt.  Answers may help the brain, but they don't necessarily heal the heart.  When God offers us comfort it may not come with an explanation for why things happen, but it gives us peace in knowing that God is still in control and that He is by our side.
    As Christians we feel the need sometimes to try to give an answer to people in a hard time about why as a sort of way of almost trying to defend God to them.  The first and best thing we can offer to someone is comfort- being there for them, listening to them, praying for them, and encouraging them to seek the LORD.  Remember Job's friends: they were most comforting when they were merely present and silent.  When they opened their mouths to give an explanation, they actually became much less helpful to Job. Why?  Because Job needed comfort not explanation, especially answers from people who were mainly speculating on what was happening.