I had had a pretty tough day at work. I can’t remember the specific details that made my day so challenging, but I’ll never forget the conversation I had with my friend at the end of the day.
I was sharing with my friend about the rough day I had and I was fussing about the fact that due to the Covid-19 induced curfew, I didn’t make it to get my sweet fix – chocolate cake. “After the day I’ve had, I DESERVE to have some chocolate cake!” “I deserve some comfort food!” My friend didn’t let me finish ranting, he interrupted; – “Isn’t God the God of all comfort?” He was referencing 2 Corinthians 1:3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,”.
My initial thought was, ‘please do not spiritualize my love of chocolate cake’. That conversation was a few weeks ago but his statement challenged me to the core. It spurred me to contemplate whether there was really an invitation by God to receive His comfort in even the seemingly mundane happenings of my life and whether my drug of choice was only a placebo for a deeper longing. Here’s what I’ve been learning.
Father of compassion:
Paul referred to God not just as the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”, but also as the “Father of Compassion” the root word for father here means “the originator and transmitter” (Strong’s Number: 3962). Paul is saying here that compassion originates and resides in Him who is rich in mercy towards us. There is no limit to His compassion; no burden is insurmountable and beyond His reach and no concern of ours is too small for Him to stoop to our aid. Friends, I believe that everything that concerns you concerns the Lord. There is no area of your life that escapes the breadth of His compassion.
God of all comfort:
Turns out “all” means all – each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything! Paul is making it very clear that in God we will find solace and relief for every and any distress we will ever face. But how can we access all this goodness that resides in our God? I am so glad you asked. Turns out, the root word for comfort in the Greek- Paraklesis, also means; “a calling near” (Strong’s Number: 3874). When I made this discovery, I was so excited I wanted to do cartwheels, – if only I could.
Friends God wants to soothe our every ache and He is calling us near to Himself to do just that. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” James 4:8. The comfort God offers is satiating, zero calories, and guilt-free! “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” Ps. 34:8.
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