Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 30, 2023
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. 4 He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. 5 That is because we receive so much comfort through Christ in the same way that we share so many of Christ’s sufferings. 6 So if we have trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is to bring you comfort from the experience of endurance while you go through the same sufferings that we also suffer. 7 Our hope for you is certain because we know that as you are partners in suffering, so also you are partners in comfort.
Good Morning; Be thou my vision, O Lord, of my heart!
Our God is an awesome God. Christ taught us to share our blessings as we are blessed. Each time we share, our blessings are increased. A single act of kindness can radiate from the source like the ripples of water emanating from a stone tossed in the water. Blessings upon blessings, growing exponentially.
Similarly, Jesus experienced our suffering as he walked among us. God did not send Jesus as an observer or narrator. Jesus was sent to live as a human as he walked with and among us. In John 11:35, Jesus wept. An impartial or casual observer would have simply watched as the scene unfolded, but Jesus is emotionally connected to his friends. Jesus wept after speaking with Lazarus's grieving sisters, Martha and Mary, and seeing all the mourners.
Even for those like me who cry easily as I experience the suffering of myself and others, Jesus knew what would happen next. When he raised Lazarus from the dead, all the mourning tears would turn into rejoicing. So why weep? Jesus was compassionate and empathized with those who were grieving. As we grieve over our own sins and the sins of our children, God grieves over the sinfulness of his children. At this moment, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he knew that he was sealing his own fate to accept the sins of all who called him Lord.
Jesus knew the cost that was required to redeem our sins: he would die a painful, humiliating death on the cross. Jesus Wept represents so much more than joining in empathy with tears of sadness. In these two words, the world would forever change as God demonstrates his mighty power over all, even death. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). And when that morning comes, “death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4).
As Jesus suffered with us, God’s children, Jesus taught us how to suffer as he humbled himself for our redemption. Throughout his earthly walk, Jesus taught and demonstrated God’s unending love as he comforted all with whom he met.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30
Loving God, We thank you for Your blessings. How can we thank you enough? You bless us even before we know You. You care for us and provide for us. Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today, I will watch for ways to offer God’s comfort to others.
Come to Christ and find peace! Pastor Liz
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