2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble… 1. There is no tribulation either for the kind or degree of it, but God can and doth comfort His people therein, and God's comforts do far exceed all philosophical remedies, as much as the sun doth a glow-worm. 2. It is very useful to know what are these apples of comfort (Song of Solomon 2-5), because many of God's children — (1) Are in a great manner ignorant of what foundations and sure grounds they have of comfort. They are like Elisha's servant, who, though there was a great host of angels to help him, yet did not see them. So that the Spirit of God not only illuminates us in the matter of duty, but also in matter of comfort. (2) Though they know many arguments of comfort, yet their memory faileth them, that in the very hour of their temptations they forget what comfortable supports they might make use of. So that it is good to preach of these principles of consolation, that thereby we may be remembrancers to you. 3. Come we then to lead you up into the mount of transfiguration, let us see, even in this life, what are the good things God hath prepared for those that love Him. And take this for a foundation, that God comforts through and by the Scriptures. I. ALL TRIBULATION IS PRECISELY DETERMINED BY GOD AS A FATHER OUT OF MUCH LOVE. 1. In regard of the beginning, the degree, and the continuance of it. Here is matter of comfort enough; here is more oil than we have vessels to receive (Matthew 5.; Hebrews 12:9, 10). Now as winter and cold is necessary in its season as well as summer, and the night hath its use as well as the day, a time of tribulation is as necessary as a time of rest and quietness. 2. In regard to the time of deliverance from it. The tribulation shall not stay an hour longer than while it may do good to thee; He will not take one drop of blood more from thee than is necessary to prevent thy disease, or abate it (Revelation 2:10). Even as the artificer knoweth how long the gold must be in the fire to take away the dross, and will not suffer it to abide any longer. II. Another Scripture-cordial is FROM CHRIST, WITH ALL THE FULNESS THAT IS IN HIM. Christ received by faith is able to make us gather grapes of thorns and figs of thistles. He that hath this sun cannot be in the dark night. What makes Paul (Romans 8.) to triumph in all manner of tribulations? Is not the foundation of all this Christ dead and Christ risen again? And if He hath given us Christ, how shall He not with Him give us all things? Thus the spiritual influence of Christ into the soul taketh away the bitterness of all troubles. III. Another Scripture discovery for comfort is to PRESS AND COMMAND THE LIFE OF FAITH UPON GOD'S PROMISE. So that, whatsoever the principles of the world and sense do suggest, yet faith rectifieth all. That finds honey to come out of a dead lion, that can suck honey from a bitter herb. God's thoughts and ours are wholly different; only faith enableth us to know the mind of God; and where flesh is ready to say, God is casting off and utterly forsaking, there faith seeth Him drawing near. The disciples in a tempest thought they had seen a spirit, and were affrighted, but it was Christ. The promise of God and faith applying it, do bear up the soul, and make it rejoice in troubles (Hebrews 6:18). IV. ETERNAL GLORY IS TO BE POSSESSED AFTER THE TROUBLES (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17). (A. Burgess.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. |
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