God is There in Tough Times

In his second letter to the Christians in Corinth, the Apostle Paul gave words of comfort in times of trouble. He reminded them as he reminds us of several important truths.

REALITY (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) Trouble is a part of life in a fallen world. We all deal with it time and again. Everybody has problems. Abraham lied. Moses fled. Elijah hid. Peter denied. Paul suffered. But despite his suffering, Paul reminds us God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (vs. 3). He comforts us in all our troubles (vs. 4), not from them. Suffering is part of God’s purifying work in our lives. The Apostle Peter tells us that believers are often called to suffer for the cause of Christ and the sake of the Gospel (1 Peter 1:19-21).

RESOLVE ( 2 Corinthians 1:6-7) Problems change us one way or the other. Peter’s failure led to his tears of repentance and his ultimate restoration (Luke 22:61-62; John 21:15-17). Judas’ betrayal led only to remorse and suicide (Matthew 27:5). In each case we learn there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with our problems and failures. Whatever we decide to do in the face of crisis we make us better or bitter. The choice is up to us. We must resolve to face each challenge with God’s help. So Paul could say whether we are afflicted or comforted we will receive the consolation and salvation of God Himself (v. 6-7).

RESOURCE (2 Corinthians 1:8-10) Our problems and suffering cause us to turn to God for help. Challenges like the coronavirus pandemic make us realize we cannot trust in ourselves alone for the answer. When we are in trouble…pressed beyond measure…despaired even of life, or like Paul, feel we have the sentence of death (v. 8-9), we can only trust in God who hath delivered us (in the past) and doth deliver us (in the present) and will yet deliver us in the future (v. 10). He alone is our ultimate resource in times of trouble.

RELATIONSHIPS (2 Corinthians 1:11-12) While God is our ultimate resource, He works through our relationships with other believers to encourage us. As Paul faced his own problems, he reminded the believers they had helped him in two significant ways to get through it all. First, he said ye (you all) also helping together by prayer. In times of trouble we need to know that other believers need to know that other believers are praying for us. We need your prayers and you need to know that we are praying for you. Second, Paul said that their gift bestowed on us helped him to carry on God’s work on their behalf (vs. 11).

What can we learn from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11?

  1. Everybody has problems.

  2. God is greater than our problems.

  3. God can overrule our problems.

  4. God can use our problems to His glory.

  5. He will comfort us in all our troubles.

  6. We must choose how we will respond when trouble comes.

  7. God will ultimately deliver us from our problems.