When All Other Comforts Flee

II Corinthians 7:2–7

“Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 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.”

Here we see the Apostle Paul relating his great longing for news from the Corinthians, they were in his head the entire time in the midst of his troubled journeys — worries bring us all down, and some worries may prove even greater than our actual troubles. We get anxious, we fear because we love, we are emotionally attached. However, the solution isn’t to reject all forms of attachment like Gautama Buddha said, but to subject these desires and passions at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ and let His Holy Spirit renew it. And what a relief it was for St. Paul to finally meet with St. Titus. Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “the very coming of Titus was some comfort to him. It was matter of joy to see him, whom he long desired and expected to meet with. The very coming of Titus and his company, who was dear to him as his own son in the common faith (Titus 1:4), was a great comfort to the apostle in his travels and troubles. But, the good news which Titus brought concerning the Corinthians was matter of greater consolation. He found Titus to be comforted in them; and this filled the apostle with comfort, especially when he acquainted him with their earnest desire to give good satisfaction in the things about which the apostle had written to them; and of their mourning for the scandal that was found among them and the great grief they had caused to others, and their fervent mind or great affection towards the apostle, who had dealt so faithfully with them in reproving their faults: so true is the observation of Solomon (Prov 28:23), He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue.” I find that refreshing indeed, about speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15). Back in our thoughts on I Corinthians 4, I am reminded again of Ps Tim Keller’s words, the importance of both love and honesty or truthfulness in all our relationships: “Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God's saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God's mercy and grace.” This is our God! Only a correct and truthful diagnosis of the fallen condition of humanity can lead to the right response, and that we were rebellious enemies of God, He sacrificed His only begotten Son, our LORD Jesus Christ came and saved us through His death on the Cross and subsequent resurrection. God knows us through and through enough to know what ails us and what we need to return into His loving and comforting arms. Henry continues, St. Paul “ascribes all his comfort to God as the author. It was God who comforted him by the coming of Titus, even the God of all comfort: God, who comforteth those that are cast down (v. 6), we should look above and beyond all means and instruments, unto God, as the author of all the consolation and the good that we enjoy.” Hurt, frustration, and pain are guaranteed in this world. The LORD tells us that we will have trouble however that we can take heart because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33). Through God’s Word we can be comforted by knowing that God is faithful, and is always looking over us. He truly cares, and is our protector and comforter in times of need. Whatever the circumstance may be, we can look to Christ and look through the pages of the Bible to find a peace that surpasses understanding (Phil 4:7). This week, “the LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deut 31:8).”