207. Comforted And Comforting.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

THE apostle began with invoking the blessing of God (verse 1).

He then went on to bless God.

He was much tried, but he was in a grateful and cheerful humor, for he wrote of most comfortable things.

Here we have ---

I. THE COMFORTABLE OCCUPATION. Blessing God. "Blessed be God." If a man under affliction blesses the Lord:

1. It argues that his heart is not vanquished.

· So as to gratify Satan by murmuring, or

· So as to kill his own soul with despair.

2. It prophesies that God will send to him speedy deliverance s to call forth new praises. It is natural to lend more to a man when the interest on what he has is duly paid.

· Never did man bless God but sooner or later God blessed him.

3. It profits the believer above measure.

· It takes the mind off. from present trouble.

· It lifts the heart to heavenly thoughts and considerations.

· It gives a taste of heaven, for heaven largely consists in adoring and blessing God.

· It destroys distress by bringing God upon the scene.

4. It is the Lord's due in whatsoever state we may be.

II. THE COMFORTABLE TITLES.

1. A name of affinity, "The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2. A name of gratitude, "The Father of mercies."

3. A name of hope, "The God of all comfort."

4. A name of discrimination, "Who comforteth us." The Lord has a special care for those who trust in him.

III. THE COMFORTABLE FACT. "The God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our tribulation."

1. God personally condescends to comfort the saints.

2. God habitually does this. He has always been near to comfort us in all past time, never once leaving us alone.

3. God effectually does this. He has always been able to comfort us in all tribulation. No trial has baffled his skill.

4. God everlastingly does this. He will comfort us to the end, for he is "the God of all comfort," and he cannot change.

Should we not be always happy since God always comforts us?

IV. THE COMFORTABLE DESIGN. "That we may be able to comfort."

1. To make us comforters of others. The Lord aims at this: the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, trains us up to be comforters. There is great need for this holy service in this sin-smitten world.

2. To make us comforters on a large scale. "To comfort them which are in any trouble." We are to be conversant with all kinds of grief and ready to sympathize with all sufferers.

3. To make us experts in consolation, "able to comfort;' because of our own experience of divine comfort.

4. To make us willing and sympathetic so that we may through personal experience instinctively care for the state of others.

Let us now unite in special thanksgiving to the God of all comfort.

Let us drink in comfort from the word of the Lord and be ourselves happy in Christ Jesus.

Let us be on the watch to minister consolation to all tried ones.