God of All Comfort and Lord of our Plans

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

 

2 Corinthians 1:15-16

Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. ¹⁶ I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.

(ESV)

 

As we begin a new year, we are also beginning a verse-by-verse study of 2 Corinthians. Like a movie sequel today, this is a follow-up to Paul’s first letter, giving us insight into how the Corinthians dealt with the issues outlined in his first letter. While Paul initially intended to visit the Corinthians in person, the change in his plans forced him to write this letter so we can all benefit from the insights into how the Corinthians dealt with the problems in their Church.

 

The letter begins with Paul greeting the Corinthians with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1-2). Paul then continues by reminding them God is a God of all comfort, but not a comfort coming from freedom from suffering but comfort in knowing God and Jesus are with us in our suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). The afflictions of Paul and those with him are to bring comfort to the Corinthians as they see Paul suffer for the Lord with perseverance to carry out his mission for the Lord’s glory (2 Corinthians 1:6-7).

 

The perseverance of Paul the those accompanying him was made evident in Asia where they were burdened beyond their strength and despaired for their lives (2 Corinthians 1:8). The purpose of this suffering was to bring an end to their own strength so they would need to rely on God whose power raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). The God who delivered them in Asia will continue to deliver them as they continue to set their hope on him (2 Corinthians 1:10). Paul then asks for the prayer support of the Church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:11). Paul and those that were with him boast that they have acted with sincerity and the grace of God towards the Corinthians and not with earthly wisdom. Paul hopes that the Corinthians will boast of them in the same manner in which he boasts of them (2 Corinthians 1:12-14).

 

Paul’s intention was for him to come to Corinth in person on his way to Macedonia and when returning to Corinth, have them send him on his way to Judea (2 Corinthians 1:15-16). He makes it clear he was not vacillating when his plans changed, letting the Corinthians know as sure as God is faithful his word to them was a vacillation between yes and no (2 Corinthians 1:17-18). The Son of God, Jesus Christ, does not vacillate between yes and no but his Word is always yes (2 Corinthians 1:19). The promises of God find their yes in Christ and why Paul speaks through Him and for God’s glory (2 Corinthians 1:20). It is God who has established the ministry of Paul through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the seal placed upon Paul (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). Paul states his reason for not coming to the Corinthians was to spare them of any further rebuke with Paul desiring to stand with the Corinthians in their faith (2 Corinthians 1:23-24).  

 

After addressing the troubles in the Church in Corinth, Paul desired to visit them again. After greeting them, he speaks the comfort of God to them, a comfort attained through sharing in the sufferings of Christ. This is similar to Paul telling the Galatians to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). This sharing of burdens provides comfort as we draw on the strength of others like the strength provided to Moses by Aaron and Hur when battling the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13). Paul wants the Corinthians to bring God’s comfort to each other through the support of each other in prayer.

 

Two things to remember when walking with the Lord,

 

1)      God is the God of all comfort – Jesus said that in this life we would have trouble but gave us comfort, telling us He overcame the world (John 16:33). Jesus also said the thief, Satan, comes to steal and destroy but the He came to give life more abundant than any thievery of Satan (John 10:10). The Christian life is not a life free from suffering but a life of comfort, knowing the Lord is there with us in our suffering (Psalm 23:4, 86:17, 119:50, 76).

2)      Our plans are subject to change – Planning should be a part of one's life because it helps keep one on track towards completing the tasks they must complete. For Paul, the plan was to visit Corinth and stay with them for a while so he could help them work through the problems in the Church. However, he wrote this second letter to the Corinthians instead perhaps to respond to other needs of ministry, possibly in Macedonia, requiring him to remain there. It is also possible Paul wanted to spare them his face-to-face rebuke and instead write them this letter (2 Corinthians 1:23).

 

I encourage everyone reading this to find God’s comfort in trouble through prayer and trusting in the promises of God’s Word. We should also plan but must be open to God changing our plans for He is in control of our lives and has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We also have the hope that Jesus is returning to rid this world of trouble and be physically with us for eternity.

 

If you are reading this post and have not prayed to ask God to forgive your sins or need to renew your relationship with God, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God Challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.