THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Thursday, July 6, 2023
TOPIC: BE IMITATORS OF GOD (IV)
MEMORISE
For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans (1 Thessalonians 2:14).
READ
2 Corinthians 1:3 - 6
[3] 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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
[5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
[6] Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation
EXPOSITION
The Triune God is the ultimate Source of comfort, and He gives by His Spirit, our indwelling Comforter (Jn. 14:16). By implication, this true comfort should be found in everyone who has Christ and His Spirit. According to Paul, this comfort has a two fold purpose: First, it sustains us through our own afflictions. And second, the comfort God gives us serves to empower us to comfort others during their afflictions. This is the fourth area of life the believers in Christ Jesus must imitate God (Rom. 12:15). Paul further expatiates in 1 Corinthians 12 12.26-27: *For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ...* [Therefore] *If one member suffers, all suffer together... Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.* The writer of Hebrews builds on this saying, *Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body* (Heb. 13:3).
When asked why we should comfort one another in times of affliction and grief, we should know that it is because God Who comforts us in our sufferings has united us as one body in His Son, to mete out His kind of comfort to others too in moments of misery. You should exhibit bowel of compassion to people in distress. *Jesus wept* (Jn. 11:35). We have a High Priest Who identifies with all our weaknesses and sorrow (Heb. 2:17-18, 4:14-15). Let us follow His perfect example in comforting one another.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 906
1. Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave
Weep o'er the erring one, Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save,
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
2. Though they are slighting Him still
He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive,
Plead with them earnestly,
Plead with them gently:
He will forgive if they only believe.
3. Down in the human heart,Crush'd by the tempter
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore:
Touch'd by a loving hand,
Waken'd by kindness,
Chords that were broken will
vibrate once more.
4. Rescue the perishing duty demands it;
Strength for thy labour the Lord will provide:
Back to the narrow way Patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand'rer a Saviour had died.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, fill me with the grace to have compassion on others.
2. Lord, may I not be callous to others, in any way, in Jesus' name
3. Lord, help leaders in homes and other places exhibiting 'I don't care' attitudes to their followers' welfares to set the need to eschew being callous.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Psalms 94:17-98:3
AUTHOR.
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Thursday, July 6, 2023 TOPIC: BE IMITATORS OF GOD (IV)){kind=link}