安慰我們的神
哥林多後書一章1至7節
1奉神旨意作基督耶穌使徒的保羅和兄弟提摩太，寫信給在哥林多神的教會，並亞該亞遍處的眾聖徒。
2願恩惠、平安從神我們的父和主耶穌基督歸與你們！
3願頌讚歸與我們的主耶穌基督的父神，就是發慈悲的父，賜各樣安慰的神。
4我們在一切患難中，他就安慰我們，叫我們能用神所賜的安慰去安慰那遭各樣患難的人。
5我們既多受基督的苦楚，就靠基督多得安慰。
6我們受患難呢，是為叫你們得安慰，得拯救；我們得安慰呢，也是為叫你們得安慰；這安慰能叫你們忍受我們所受的那樣苦楚。
7我們為你們所存的盼望是確定的，因為知道你們既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰。
信息分享
一如既往，保羅在信首自稱是「耶穌基督的使徒」。他的使徒權柄是來自基督，而非任何人或教會的授權，他亦確信他的職份是神在他生命和事奉中的旨意。
我們如果相信自己是活在神的旨意中，那麼，擁有這份確信便十分重要。問題不在於你在甚麼崗位事奉神，或是處於怎樣的光景；要緊的是你在神要你在的地方，而它便是神要你得著祝福和保護的地方。你今天是在這個地方嗎？
保羅在第2和3節怎樣稱呼神呢？他說：「我們的主耶穌基督的父神，就是發慈悲（憐憫）的父，賜安慰的神。」我們的天父就是這樣的一位神。
神的聖名揭示了神的許多屬性。在保羅的書信中，我們看見他稱神是慈愛、憐憫和賜恩惠的神。他稱祂是「賜各樣安慰的神」。無論我們需要甚麼安慰，神都能安慰我們。
當你遇到一個前所未有的困難，你的一位朋友便馬上挺身而出地幫助你；當雨過天晴之後，你對那位朋友便會有嶄新的認識。我們對神的認識也是同一道理：無論我們落在任何的境況中，神都與我們同在；祂必將我們最需要的恩典和安慰賜予我們。我們這位慈愛的天父正渴望能夠滿足我們的一切需要。願我們同心感謝祂！
安慰即是神的能力與你的需要融合在一起。
THE GOD WHO COMFORTS US
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 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.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Message
Here is one of Paul's most personal letters. You can almost see his tears and concern as he wrote. He was writing out of his heart to a church where obviously a minority was against him and his ministry. But he found strong comfort in God Himself and sought to communicate this to the church in Corinth.
As he usually did, Paul started by calling himself an "apostle of Jesus Christ". His authority came from Christ and not from human sources, not even the church. He was also very certain that this appointment was the will of God for his life and service.
That kind of assurance can mean much in your life and mine. If you are in the will of God, it doesn't matter where you serve Him, or what your circumstances are. That is the place where God wants you to be. It is also the place of blessing and security for you. Is that where you are today?
How did Paul describe God in verses 2 and 3? "The Father of Jesus Christ. The Father of compassion (mercy) and the God of all comfort." Those are wonderful descriptions of the One who is our Heavenly Father.
The names of God reveal so much of His character. Love, mercy, and grace are all found in the names Paul used. He called Him the God of all comfort. Whatever our need may be, God can minister to our need.
Have you ever found a new aspect of a friend's character when you have a special need and they help you? God is like that. In every situation God is there with you and can supply the grace and comfort needed just then. He is your Heavenly Father and longs to meet your every need. Why not thank Him for this today?
COMFORT MEANS "STRENGTH TOGETHER" -- GOD'S STRENGTH AND YOUR NEED.