This morning, as I was finishing a study I have been working on, I was greeted with a calendar reminder that Women’s Bible study would be starting in 30 minutes. Oh how I wish … However, as we lean on God’s perfect plan for each of us, we do have an opportunity to be strengthened in our trust in Him and share our hope with those who are struggling with peace. Schedules have changed, in fact some days I have to think about what I should be doing, as my calendar is sparse with plans that are viable at this time. My heart is heavy with the difficulty and sorrow people are facing – those I know who have tested positive for Covid19, who have relatives and friends that are extremely ill and not allowed by their bedside, who have lost wages and are financially suffering – yet, my heart is filled with joy as I ponder God’s mercy in calling me His child. Be encouraged! God is building our testimonies for His glory.
When circumstances were bleak, Paul burst out in praise to God for the blessings bestowed upon man.
2Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God is the Father of mercies. What does this mean? God chooses to show leniency and compassion toward mankind even though we are guilty. God offers forgiveness toward sinners.
Consider God’s mercy toward us. We do not deserve it and we cannot earn it, but He has chosen to notice us. Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.
God delights in mercy. All that is good is because of God. Mercy is part of God’s character.
Micah 7:18 Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. Unchanging love is translated from the same word for mercy.
The Father of mercies; a most amiable and comfortable relation; not the Father of mercy, or a merciful Father, barely, but the Father of mercies in the plural number to denote the greatness and multitude of his mercies, and that all mercy flows from him only and freely, as streams from an overflowing and never-failing fountain. William Burkitt New Testament notes.
God will show mercy towards the afflicted. Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted.
God’s mercy is plentiful, exceedingly great and always sufficient. Psalm 86:5, 15 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee. 15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
God’s mercy is abundant, plenteous. 1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
God’s mercy is everlasting. 1Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
God’s mercy is certain, faithful. Isaiah 55:3 "Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [According to] the faithful mercies shown to David.
God’s mercy is tender, compassionate. Psalm 25:6 Remember, O LORD, Thy compassion and Thy lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old.
God’s mercy is new every morning, it never ends, and it never fails. Lamentations 3:22-23 The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. [They] are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
We can trust in God’s mercy. Psalm 52:8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
We can rejoice in God’s mercy. Psalm 31:7 I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness, because Thou hast seen my affliction; Thou hast known the troubles of my soul,
The God of all comfort.
Comfort <parakaleo> to call near, to invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhortation, intreat, pray. This is the same word used by Jesus of the Holy Spirit as the Helper in John 14:16, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever”.
True comfort, in all circumstances, is found in Christ alone, through His word. As we draw near to Him and receive His mercies, we are comforted. God will offer His perfect comfort in all circumstances.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
2Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
We find comfort through His promises and in His protection. The world, people and circumstances are unable to offer lasting comfort because change is inevitable; our future is not secure. In Christ, we are free from worry with a future that is certain, no matter what happens.
Psalm 146:3 Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
Psalm 146:5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God;
James 5:11 Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and [is] merciful.
“And the God of all comfort, the source of all consolation. Paul delighted, as all should do, to trace all his comforts to God; and Paul, as all Christians have, had sufficient reason to regard God as the source of true consolation. There is no other real source of happiness but God; and he is able abundantly, and willing, to impart consolation to his people.” Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary
Where is your confidence?
Who or what is your joy dependent upon?
Where is your gratitude centered? Are you grateful even in difficulty?
Where is your security?
Who is your source of consolation?
“The Father of mercies, and God of all comfort-Mercies are the fountain of comfort; comfort is the outward expression of mercy. God shows mercy in the affliction itself. He gives comfort both in and after the affliction. Therefore is he termed, the God of all comfort. Blessed be this God!” John Wesley’s Notes on the Old and New Testaments
God is the source of tender mercy and provides consolation to those who trust in Him. In the midst of trouble, peace is found in Christ as we look to His promises. Every difficult circumstance we experience gives us opportunity to remember and lean upon God’s mercy and comfort and gives us testimony of God’s faithfulness so that we might share with others where true peace is found.
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we understand that God is the source of all mercies and the author of comfort, we will not keep silent. Like the apostle Paul, even in the midst of hardship, we will burst forth in praise for God’s grace on our lives! What looks bleak to the world will be seen in the light of God’s promise to the believer. Because of His mercy, we know Him. I can think of no other thing of greater importance than to share with others the hope found in Christ.
So that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
There are hearts that are fearful – peace is found in God.
There are hearts that are sorrowful – comfort is found in God.
There are hearts that are troubled – rest is found in God.
Answers may not be found for present difficulties, but trust in the One who has all understanding will provide a quietness of heart. We have an unshakeable foundation in God, blessed be His name. Praise God, take courage, be comforted, and be strengthened
Psalm 18:46 The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of my salvation.
Psalm 72:19 And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.
