Compassion’s Father

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 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.  (2 Cor. 1:3-5 NIV)

Trouble is sometimes the result of our own choices. Sometimes we suffer the consequences of foolish decisions or sinful actions. But we also suffer even though we have made every effort to do what is right. We suffer as a result of things that are outside our control and responsibility.

When facing trouble, it is important to discern the cause. If our trouble is the result of our mistakes, the Lord will look to lovingly correct us and help us to overcome these errors. If we have suffered due to circumstances outside our control, we know we are suffering innocently, suffering with the sufferings of Christ.

If our hearts turn to the Lord in the midst of our trouble, praise be to Him for He is the Father of compassion. Compassion comes from the very nature of God. He is compassion’s Father. When we suffer, God suffers! He comes to stand by our side, suffering with us and helping us to endure and overcome. But that’s not all. He is also the God of all comfort! In our trouble, it is vital that we see Him as a flood of compassion and a river of comfort. He is working to deliver us!

God’s deliverance can come in many forms. He can provide grace, even great grace, to endure the trouble we are facing. He can change our circumstances by removing the source of our suffering. He may send a helper, brother, friend or angelic being to stand by our side and bear the burden. Or, He may impart the wisdom to us that we may eliminate and overcome the source of suffering.

As we yield to Him one thing is certain, whichever method the Lord chooses, His decisions and actions toward us come from an infinite heart of compassion and comfort toward us. He can only do that which is most loving and comforting toward us. If we know this to be true of Him, then we are greatly equipped to serve Him by comforting “those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” That privilege is worth the pain of suffering!

Merciful God, praise be to You! You are compassion’s Father and the God of all comfort! Help us to comfort others with the comfort we have received from You!