In The Bible Today; 2 Corinthians 3

The Bible is a timeless text of perennial wisdom. It tells us not only of God and mankind, it guides us on our path as spiritual beings in human bodies.

Though the Bible sometimes seems inapproachable and complex, these studies are designed to make the Bible accessible to everyone and applicable to everyday life.

Namaste Friends.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3-5; "praise be to 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, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

Observation: Life is full of trouble, anguish, pain, and... hope. sometimes in the midst of our personal suffering, we fail to see the hope. God brings us to the point of great suffering, until we are laid bare, with nowhere to turn but back to Him. It is then, as we lie vulnerable and afraid, that God comforts us and offers hope. It is at the point of complete surrender that He gathers us gently in his arms of compassion, to soothe our wounds. It is then, with spirit soothed, that we move into the world, to share comfort and hope with those around us.

Application: From the depth of the pit, it is hard to see God. Surrounded by death-failure-financial ruin-broken marriages-abuse-illness - we can barely see out past our suffering. God sends hope in many forms. His comfort comes to us when we seek it. The key is to seek first. When the request for the Holy Spirit is made, God answers immediately. Do not ignore the answer to your prayer. If you feel lonely and forgotten and the phone rings, do not ignore the call. If you are struggling financially and someone offers to help, humble yourself and let them help. In so doing, you will both be blessed. Conversely, when God nudges your heart to reach out, do not harden your heart. Make the phone call. Deliver the meal. Speak the kind word. Offer God's hope. Be a comfort, just as you have been comforted.

Prayer: Lord, today I seek to do the work you put before me. I yield my heart and my pride to you, God. I have received your comfort and hope, and I thank you. Use me as you will. But as for me, I will always have hope.