Since God is the source of all comfort we need to learn to rely on God.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT)
God Offers Comfort to All
8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
Examine the scriptures:
Since God is the source of all comfort we need to learn to rely on God.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT)
8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.
The specifics are unknown, but it is clear that it was “beyond our (their) ability to endure”.
Humanly speaking, deliverance was impossible.
9 In fact, we expected to die.
- As Paul was traveling through the province of Asia, things had gotten so bad, he expected to die.
But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves
Paul could not rely on:
Intellect
Physical strength
Resources
Many times Christians are tempted to rely on themselves.
Education
Finances
Family
Peers
The government
The Church
and learned to rely only on God,
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Psalm 56:4 (NLT) Similar to Hebrews 13:6
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
- God is the source of all comfort.
- Learn to rely only on God. (A lifelong lesson.)
who raises the dead.
God is all-powerful.
God is sovereign.
God has power over death.
Matthew 19:26 (NLT)
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT)
17 “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 121:3 (NLT)
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
- Nothing is too hard for God.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays that believers will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us.
Ephesians 1:19-21 (NLT)
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
- Learn to reflect on the incredible greatness of God’s power.
10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
Hope:
2 Corinthians 1:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 … On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
2 Corinthians 1:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 … On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.
- Set your hope on God.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
11 And you are helping us by praying for us.
- Partner with those going through difficulties by praying for them.
Romans 15:30 (NLT)
30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.
Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
