安慰我们的神
哥林多后书一章1至7节
1奉神旨意作基督耶稣使徒的保罗和兄弟提摩太，写信给在哥林多神的教会，并亚该亚遍处的众圣徒。
2愿恩惠、平安从神我们的父和主耶稣基督归与你们！
3愿颂赞归与我们的主耶稣基督的父神，就是发慈悲的父，赐各样安慰的神。
4我们在一切患难中，他就安慰我们，叫我们能用神所赐的安慰去安慰那遭各样患难的人。
5我们既多受基督的苦楚，就靠基督多得安慰。
6我们受患难呢，是为叫你们得安慰，得拯救；我们得安慰呢，也是为叫你们得安慰；这安慰能叫你们忍受我们所受的那样苦楚。
7我们为你们所存的盼望是确定的，因为知道你们既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰。
信息分享
一如既往，保罗在信首自称是「耶稣基督的使徒」。他的使徒权柄是来自基督，而非任何人或教会的授权，他亦确信他的职份是神在他生命和事奉中的旨意。
我们如果相信自己是活在神的旨意中，那么，拥有这份确信便十分重要。问题不在于你在甚么岗位事奉神，或是处于怎样的光景；要紧的是你在神要你在的地方，而它便是神要你得着祝福和保护的地方。你今天是在这个地方吗？
保罗在第2和3节怎样称呼神呢？他说：「我们的主耶稣基督的父神，就是发慈悲（怜悯）的父，赐安慰的神。」我们的天父就是这样的一位神。
神的圣名揭示了神的许多属性。在保罗的书信中，我们看见他称神是慈爱、怜悯和赐恩惠的神。他称祂是「赐各样安慰的神」。无论我们需要甚么安慰，神都能安慰我们。
当你遇到一个前所未有的困难，你的一位朋友便马上挺身而出地帮助你；当雨过天晴之后，你对那位朋友便会有崭新的认识。我们对神的认识也是同一道理：无论我们落在任何的境况中，神都与我们同在；祂必将我们最需要的恩典和安慰赐予我们。我们这位慈爱的天父正渴望能够满足我们的一切需要。愿我们同心感谢祂！
安慰即是神的能力与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.