“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.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you hear the word God, what comes to your mind? Some people think God as an unpleasant being who has an ongoing anger issue and waiting to punish you always. The one who has a stick in his hand to beat on your head. Especially, if you are brought up in certain religious systems that always feared God, more likely, your heart would be filled with fear.

Listen, the Bible says God is the Father of compassion. Secondly, He is the God of all comfort. Thirdly, God comforts us in all our troubles. Quite different from your estimation, right? Why do we have compassion? Why do we comfort others who are in trouble and danger? Why do we love our children and dear ones? Why do we get angry when unfair and wrong things are exposed? You see, we are made in the image of God. Although God’s image tarnished in us due to the original sin and subsequent disobedience and rebelliousness of people, it is not fully eradicated. We are still able to show love, compassion, and comfort. 

Our today’s insight reminds us God, who is revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.

You see, we never understand the love, care, compassion, and comfort of our Father God in heaven until we need these desperately and cry out to Him. The Bible says God is near to the brokenhearted and listen to the next phrase- not only He is near to the brokenhearted, but it says He saves the crushed in spirit. I experienced God’s compassion, unconditional love, and comfort when I needed it desperately. Have you? If so, our insight says to praise God for His compassion and comfort you experienced in your life. Can we together praise God because His love, compassion, and comfort with which He comforts us in all our troubles?

Troubles are varied and come back again and again. This is why it says ‘in all our troubles”. In each of it, you are weighed down and sometimes get to the point of discouragement and hopelessness. However, it says in all your troubles He comforts you. David would say, in his heinous sins of adultery and the resultant murder, God showed His compassion and comfort, when he truly repented and called upon the Lord of all compassion. 

It also means when you are despised and mistreated, his compassion and comforts are on you. When you are in bed with sickness, he is closer to you than ever before. When you are financially bankrupt, He is there with you in your poverty. When you go through the valley of the shadow of death, He holds your hand close and tight and leads you to his presence of ever-present joy and gladness. 

Beloved, you would know God as the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts you in all your troubles when you connect with His Son, Jesus, as your savior and Lord. God the Father gave His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die in your place for your sins and trespasses. Jesus bore your sin on his divine and sinless body and became a sacrificial lamb to free yourself from the judgment of sins and mistakes. When you enter through the gate of His Son, Jesus, who showed true love by dying and then rising again for your sins, you are welcomed into all the compassion and comfort of the loving God in heaven. You became a recipient of all God’s love, compassion, and comfort all through your life here on this planet earth and after your departure from here.  

Got a moment for today’s prayer?

Father in heaven, I know Jesus is the door through whom I can receive all of God’s endless love, compassion, and comfort. I believe Jesus died for my sins, buried, and rose again. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Bless me and lead me into all the amazing blessings you have in store for me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.