In All Our Tribulation

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."  Paul was no stranger to suffering for Christ's sake, and his experiences joyfully endured demonstrated the comfort He received by faith in Jesus in the most trying times.  What Paul dubbed "light affliction" people who have suffered less would have called soul crushing without Christ who gave him strength.  Our God is the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our tribulation so we might also comfort others.  Compared to a meal set before us, the consolation of our Saviour is the main course while troubles that confront us are a light dusting on top.

There have been occasions when the person cooking or eating food accidentally added too much seasoning because the lid popped off or it was inadvertently poured from the open side of the cap.  We have likely also mis-read a recipe and mistakenly added tablespoons when only teaspoons were called for!  Praise the LORD He does not make errors when He disciplines us and allows us to face tribulations and troubles that overwhelm us.  When we feel cast down, it provides impetus to intentionally seek the LORD, to be casting our cares on Him who cares for us rather than choosing to focus on ourselves in despair.  If we are preoccupied with how we are feeling or what other people are doing (or not doing!) comfort, peace and rest found only in Christ will prove elusive.

When God allowed His people to be defeated by their enemies, He affirmed the covenant He made with them.  They may have felt cast off, alone and hopeless, yet God reminded them of His steadfast mercy in Isaiah 54:8-10:  "With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer. ⁹ "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. ¹⁰ For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has mercy on you."  People in Israel faced problems like a flood as they were besieged by enemies, yet decades of struggles were a mere moment in comparison to everlasting kindness God would show them.  Their sin had left them desolate, but they had a bright future by faith in God who had given them a covenant of peace and continued to be merciful presently with them.

The following verses that described the troubled people of Jerusalem could well relate to Christians who have been sideswiped by troubles in Isaiah 54:11-14:  "O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. ¹² I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. ¹³ All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. ¹⁴ In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you."  Though God is the God of comfort, His people can lack any comfort when we are afflicted or agitated by storms beyond our control.  It is by faith in God and His promises we can look to Jesus Christ and find rest for our souls, and the fog of war and worries is miraculously lifted by His faithfulness.  Our Saviour provides comfort for us that is more real and lasting than grand castles of stone that have stood for centuries.

Despite the present sufferings of God's people in Isaiah 54 who retained a long memory of their struggles, pains and losses, God bid them look to Him and consider the glorious future He had in store for them.  God extended all comfort for those afflicted and tossed with affliction, and God had great blessing for their children as well--and great would be their peace in Him.  He said, "In righteousness you shall be established," and how true this is for those who by faith abide in Christ!  We are weak and our faith can falter, yet God is faithful to keep His covenant sealed with His own blood and supply all our needs--and this includes all comfort.