Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

2 Corinthians 1:5-6

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

Paul specifically pointed out that the suffering he endured was not ordinary suffering, but rather it was done for Christ. 2 Corinthians 11 described the excruciating suffering that Paul had gone through that few of us could comprehend. Colossians 1:24 says: "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." Paul put his life in danger so that God's will with the church can be accomplished, and that's what devil Satan definitely doesn't like to see. Therefore, Satan used every imaginable ploy to stop Paul. Sometimes attacks from Satan comes from the outside, and sometimes from the inside, which could be the heavy burden in our hearts. No matter what, it is impossible for someone who follows Christ not to encounter any suffering. 1 Peter 2:21 says: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." In the midst of all the suffering, God can comfort us; 2 Corinthians 1:3 also says that God "...comforts us in all our troubles."

Have you experienced comfort from God? Paul has tasted comfort from God in the midst of persecution, hardship, false accusations and even being cold and naked. Every kind of suffering introduces him to a new kind of comfort; therefore, Paul could understand and identify with those who are suffering. It is not God's will to have hardship land on you, but God can provide comfort in the midst of hardship and help you to overcome the circumstance of hardship. When you are comforted and have overcome the circumstance, you can then turn back to help those who are still trapped in hardship and do not know how to proceed. When they witness how we are saved during our time of hardship, their hearts will be uplifted and they will continue to look upon God. When we think about how we go through these circumstances, we can't help but to praise God's wonderfulness. Our hearts cannot be touched by rationality; hearts can only be touched and comforted by another heart. May God help you and me to become His vessels that will touch others.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you because there are all kinds of comfort in you. We ask that you release your comfort in our hearts so that we may experience it, and help us to receive hope for salvation in the midst of hardship that we can pass onto those around us. Make us your vessels that can comfort others. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!