Monthly Archives: March 2013

2 Corinthians 1-2

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Paul writes “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.”

This is a unique way of thinking about affliction and the comfort we have through Christ. That comfort isn’t just for our benefit, it’s for the benefit of those around us, so that we can help them through times of difficulty.  Comfort isn’t just a self-centered thing, although we often perceive it that way. It’s intended for communal benefit.  “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too”.

These concepts are made even more powerful when we reflect on Paul’s life – someone who suffered so much for Christ, yet he is concerned about the welfare of others.  Yet he views that affliction as something “to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”  It is this sort of attitude of communal care and comfort that makes the gospel such a unique, precious gift.

1 Corinthians 15, Psalms 106

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Paul gives us hope and encouragement of the future that lies before us, in stark contrast to the apathy and darkness of this world.  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Paul encourages us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  The hope that we have is not a vain hope, but a reality that is only separated from us by time.  “We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

So let’s “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever”.

Psalms 105

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In Psalm 105, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness, “He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations”.

The history of Israel is briefly summarised, highlighting the fact that God had cared for His people. Guiding them through the wilderness, strengthening His people against their enemies, performing miracles, providing food and water, giving them the promised land.

Just as God has cared and provided for Israel, so He cares and provides for us. We’ve been invited to be part of “the covenant that he made with Abraham…an everlasting covenant.”  So our response should be to “give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”  Let’s rejoice, sing praises, and seek God’s presence continually.