08/29/23 Daily Devotion – Do you forget this, too?

“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” (2 Corinthians 7:6, 7 NIV84)

Have you ever had times when nothing seems to be going right? Are you going through one of those times now? It can really get you down. I know those times have always gotten me down. Even the apostle Paul, a man whom we would consider a super Christian, had down times. There were times when even he was discouraged. But look at what he reminds us of today. He said this: “God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us.” Our God is known to be a God who comforts those who are downcast and discouraged. He IS the God who comforts the downcast. Why are we so apt to forget this?

God intimately knew what was discouraging Paul and brought him the comfort he needed. I don’t want you to grasp at this truth in just an abstract way. I want you to know that God intimately knows you. He loves you and doesn’t like when you are hurting. Just as He met Paul’s need for comfort by sending Titus to Paul, God will intimately comfort you and me in our times of discouragement and despair. God has this uncanny way of bringing just the right people, or experiences, into our lives to provide us comfort and hope during our down times.

Isaiah 40:1 says, “Comfort, comfort My people says your God.” Just take in that verse for a few seconds. Isaiah recorded these words coming from God’s mouth. The heart of God yearns for us to be comforted in our troubled times. It is my prayer that the God who comforts the downcast will comfort you.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church

About the author: Tom Donnelly