December 12th

The Best Is Yet Ahead

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

You got a problem? Yeah, a lot of us do, especially these days. But it's important for us to not just see our problem. We need to see the purpose behind the problem.

This is really something we need to know, that all of it-all of it!-not just the fun stuff, not just the easy stuff, even the hard, difficult trials and sufferings and pains, all of it is for a purpose. And more than that, we see from today's verses and the rest of that passage that, while Paul describes five different ways in which we can suffer, he also uses the word comfort ten times. He's doubling down on the comfort of God for every trial and tribulation and suffering and difficulty that we have.

We also know that we're not alone. It might be easy for us to think that Paul, because he teaches us so much of what we hold as truth today, that he had everything figured out and didn't go through the suffering that we experience today, but that simply isn't true.

In fact, he tells us in this passage that his troubles went beyond his strength, that he did not have enough strength to overcome or endure the troubles that were overwhelming his life, so much so that he despaired of life. But he thanked God for all this because it forced him to trust in the God who raises the dead. He knew that his strength was not enough, but that God would still raise him from the dead and help him overcome his troubles.

He's saying that it isn't over. No matter what you're facing today, it's not over. It isn't the end! He's saying, Hold tight, because you might be in tribulation right now, but God's deliverance is coming. His promises are true. He will be faithful to His Word. And more than anything else, you are sealed with the guarantee of His Spirit.

That means that God has you taken care of. He has a plan, and He sees you on the other side of what you're going through.

Here's the good news today: You don't have to have the strength; you just have to have the faith and hope to stick with God and follow Him through the trial till His promises come to pass.

Prayer Lord God,

Thank You that You are Lord over everything that I am facing right now! My circumstances may feel as hopeless as death, but You are the God who raises the dead, and You will help me overcome. I let go of my own strength and I rest in You today!

Amen