The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 1:3-5, “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 affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

A eulogy is a “good word.” It is usually employed in reference to someone who has died; but technically, it can reference a number of usages. It is the first word in the first verse above, translated “blessed.” Paul never had anything but good to say about the LORD. His “good word” here clearly identifies God as the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, and the God who distributes mercies and comfort to His people.

Apart from Christ Jesus, no one suffered greater affliction than the Apostle Paul. Yet, he barely mentions his suffering here, and instead focuses on the mercy and comfort he has received from the LORD. It all too

easy for us to focus on our afflictions, when we should be focusing on our comfort from the LORD.

The overriding purpose of receiving comfort is that we might know how to minister comfort to others in need. Too often we complain, when there are numerous people around us who are hurting more than we.

How can we comfort them, unless we have encountered the same afflictions? Doesn’t the suffering of Christians in the world today affect us? It surely should!

There are many believers, who are suffering in the world, whom we cannot aid. Yet, when we have opportunity, we can speak up on their behalf. What’s more, we can hold them before the LORD in daily prayer. Our LORD Jesus suffered, and He is available always to aid His suffering people. May His comfort

touch them in their need; and may He touch us in our need, as well.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”