November 24th

Weighing What We Say

Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

God meets us where we are. Can I just say how much I love that? I love it!

In our verses today, Paul tells us of a time when he needed God to meet him where he was. He was surrounded by trouble, filled with fear, and so much so that he could find no rest. This is where our verses pick up, saying, Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast...

Paul is saying that his circumstances were so bad they were enough to leave him depressed. That's what that word downcast means-depressed. He was depressed. He was burdened. He was upset about some words that had been said about him, vile language that was trying to destroy his reputation in the community.

But in that place, God met him and comforted him through a man named Titus. Paul tells us it wasn't just Titus' presence that comforted him, but also the report that he gave. Titus came from Paul's beloved church in Corinth and told him that things couldn't be better there.

Look at those words, When he told us. When did Paul receive comfort in his depression? He received it when Titus spoke.

Okay, stop right there. Tell me, did you do that for anybody this week? You say, Do what? Did you comfort them and encourage them and actually pick some choice words that lifted the burden off their downcast life?

Did you do that for anybody? Because, you need to know, that is why we're here. It's a part of the program as to why we're still on Earth and not in Heaven, so that God could use us and the words that come out of our mouth to encourage someone just as Titus encouraged Paul.

Look, this needs to be very practical for us, because it's very simple. Please don't tell me that you meant to do this, or you thought about doing it, because if you didn't actually do it then it didn't get done. That person in the cubicle next to yours is still depressed. Your wife still doesn't know that you think she's beautiful, that you really appreciate her hard work and love her cooking. And even if you've told them once, maybe they forgot and could stand to hear it again.

Your words are powerful. They really are! Choose today to begin to use them like Titusas God's tool of comfort to those who need it.

Prayer Father God,

Thank You that You are a God who comforts those who are downcast! It's amazing that You would use me to do that in someone's life, so please use me to comfort those around me who need it!

Amen