Where is God When It Hurst 2 Cor. 1.3-7

Everyone has asked, Where is God?

Paul gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 1.3-7

2 Cor 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
2 Cor 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Cor 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Cor 1:6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
2 Cor 1:7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

1. God is the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort v. 3

• His relationship to us is that of a Father who stands beside us
• He gives relief, support, solace, encouragement
• Comfort in this passage is the same word used for the Holy Spirit - Paraclete

2. God Comforts us so we can comfort others v. 4

• Two important words
• Us
  
• God didn't only comfort Paul
• greatest missionary ever
• wrote 2/3 of the New Testament
• He comforts us as well

• All
  
• our troubles
• Not just the big or the small but all

• So we can comfort others
• this is an important transformation that needs to take place in our lives
• suffering can cause us to turn inward
• become bitter, despondant, depressed, disillusioned

• Serving and Sharing - turns us outward

3. God's Comfort is Equal to the Suffering v. 5

• Christ suffered so he could become the Perfect Sympathizer
• Born to an unwed mother
  Ÿ Born in a stable
  Born to poor parents - they offered the least of all sacrifices
  Had his life threatened as a baby
  Being the cause of unimaginable sorrow
  Having to be moved for his own protection as a baby
  Raised in a seedy town - Nazareth
  Father died when he was young
  Had to support his mother and family as the oldest male child
  Had no home or even a place to lay his head
  He was hated and opposed by his church
  He was charged with insanity and demon possession
  His own family thought he was crazy
  He was rejected, hated and opposed by the very people he came to serve
  He was betrayed by a close friend
  He was denied by another
  He was left alone, forsaken by all his friends in his greatest hour of need
  He was tried by the highest court in the land for treason
  He was unjustly crucified, the worst possible death
  He was even mocked while on the cross

Heb 2:16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
Heb 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Where is God?

He is right there beside you