I don’t have much to give today.
But, that’s the beauty of God. He gives over and above what we can ever expect.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
And our topic today, couldn’t be better for a “down” day… 2 Corinthians 1.
Let me admit a flaw in my recent biblical reading patterns.
I often skim over the opening and closing remark in Paul’s letters.
I know, I know…
But, I’ve changed!
A few weeks ago I was working in my new devotional study when the author asked me to read the beginning of 2 Corinthians. Well, as usual, I skimmed over it. Until I realized the whole 5 page daily study was centered just on the opening paragraph. UGH! So, I sat down and read it. And it blew me away.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
God is described as the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.
Could you rest in that today?
Then within the above verses there are 2 words which give me great purpose.
“SO THAT”
How many times have I cried out “Why Lord?”
SO THAT we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
There is so much else that my heart aches to share. But, I’m so excited to hear from you. What’s on Your Mind?
I wonder how many “so that’s” there are in scripture that answer the questions we are asking. This is a great post, Shane.
Hey Heidi (aka Stonefox)! On studylight.org I did a search for “so that” – there were 737 verses in NIV that came up! =0 I’ll try to narrow it down and see what I can find!
“So that”–words of purpose. Thank you for directing our attention to them. (I stumbled across your blog through a link from another. You have a calming and peaceful site!)
I am so glad that it doesn’t matter if we have “much” to give, or not. If we have Jesus, we have all we need.
He takes me in my brokeness and makes me “enough.”
How about this? I am broken SO THAT Jesus can make me enough?!
I loved the thoughts you shared today.
And I love you!
I find great comfort in the fact that my Father is the ultimate definition of ‘faithfulness’ ~ to be firmly fixed in affection and adherance to His promises. And on the days that I need to be comforted by that, I turn to Psalm 31:1-2 and remember that I can ask my Father to bow down His ear to me so that I can whisper into it all that concerns me. In response…He delivers me (sets me free)! So today I posted my thoughts on the comfort I find in Psalm 31.
Shane, thanks for being open and real; a transparent believer that God can shine through!
I had a very tender moment last night reading in John 20 when Mary Magdalene can back to the tomb and was looking for Jesus’s body. I could relate to her in her desperate search for Jesus she didn’t even recognize him when he was standing right in front of her. I thought lately life has been so busy I have been thinking I need to find Jesus – get back to him. Until I realize he is right here with me. I get worried and anxious when I feel like life is pulling me away from Jesus SO THAT Jesus can say – I’m right here in front of you- You can’t lose me. Sigh what a relief.
Shane:
I’ve added a link to my weekend post. I hear the weary in your voice. I, too, feel as if I have nothing left to give right now. That being said, I’m exhausted from the launch of our Esther series and need a couple of days for regrouping.
God be close to you friend. I love doing life with you here in blogland.
peace~elaine
Hi Shane
I am getting caught up in my reading. I was in Oklahoma for a bit but am home now. Sorry to have missed the last two weeks. I will be there on Tuesday!!
I love you bringing to my attention the “SO THAT”. It makes me stop asking why something happened and gives me anticipation to see the outcome of something. The “SO THAT” could happen.
I forget that has to happen at times. It is like I had to clean out my closet SO THAT smallet sized clothes would fit in it.
That is a “SO THAT” that I really like!! :)