THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND COMFORT - PART 3

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2023

My earnest desire is that we should all, in a general sense, wear unselfish compassion consistently, and be ardently ready to comfort those who are in trouble, to an adequate degree, and this sort of attitude should be more prevalent among the saints. More below!

Reference 2 Corinthians 1:3 New International Version (NIV) "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort."

Just like I mentioned in part 2, apostle Paul revealed that God is the Father of compassion, which denotes our Lord Jesus Christ, His Son. So in the above versified statement, he expressed his gratitude to God, by acknowledging God's fatherhood in this manner: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion..." Since Christ is the image of compassion, when we wear compassion as an image, we represent Christ Himself in our world, because already, we are unified with Him in eternity as a result of our inextricable union with Him, by means of our salvation, and as we remain governed by the code of compassion, we render such a mindful obedience to God.

The glorious gospel is not just a message of salvation, it is also a testimony of compassion exerted on mankind by Christ. It is proclamation of faith concerning the self-revelation of God in Christ which was unfolded on the cross of calvary and therefore, compassion is the standard of Christian conduct which is worthy of the glorious gospel. Got it? Compassion is a beautiful image that smiles on the downtrodden, the afflicted, the oppressed, the exploited, the needy, the underprivileged, those laden with emotional burden, as well as, those in unfavourable circumstances, especially with regard to social opportunities and financial stability.

On the other hand, comforting lexicon comes with a healing power, and as we comfort others, we release a miraculous power of survival into their lives, such that they end up with a surprising recovery from trouble, sorrow and sadness, which makes them feel more alive, as they tune in to the frequency that assures them that life is still worth living, while engaging with the world around them, regardless of what they have been through. So comforting words are encouraging responses with fabulous and wonderful healing power.

More so, one of the assured ways of changing an unfortunate matter or unfavourable situation is by offering the sacrifice of paean to God consistently. Praise is a curly spring that keeps us in intimate contact with God's faithfulness. This denotes that if you can get someone who is a victim of negative outcomes to live a life of praise, you have prescribed to them, the accurate medicine for their soul, and have also opened them up to the portals of supernatural encounter, because praising God implies that they still have God's favourable opinions and acknowledgement on their lips, irrespective of any existing trouble, misadventure or challenge. As long as paean lingers on their lips, the beneficial effects will empower them, lift their spirits, install strength and courage within their inwardness, and furnish them with "endurance" fitness designed to cross over to the better life ahead of them.

God's compassion and comfort grant us an eternity of reasons to be thankful or full of gratitude. As we bear the image of the heavenly through compassion and emission of comforting words, we enlighten the world around us that there is an unseen God, of whom they can rise into intimate communion with, and direct their focus towards Him, instead of dwelling on circumstances. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 41:10; Job 5:11; Proverbs 3:27; John 16:33.

Guided Prayer: Lord I thank you for another great discourse which the Word gives concerning your unconditional acceptance and approval. Your compassion has been manifested in the flesh, as the Lord Jesus Christ, who offered me salvation, full of comfort and eternal life, through the great good news of the glorious gospel. In Christ, I have all the help and succour that my soul needs, for He alone is the rock of my salvation, my righteousness, and my daily strength. Thank you Father for introducing me into a branch of divine mercy, known as compassion, and a system of reassurance, known as comfort, which are fully accepted by my understanding, in Jesus' Name, Amen.