The Ministry of Consolation
A. Mackennal, D. D. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;… I. CHRISTIANS HAVE MANY A SECRET, MAKING PAIN ENDURABLE AND TAKING THE STING FROM TROUBLE. 1. Sorrow is fellowship with Christ, is a great self-revealer — of sin, of restoring mercy, of cleansing grace, of the tenderness of God. 2. But the text shows a new gain — a special grace. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted"; but "blessed," also, "are they that be comforted, for they shall comfort others."(1) When God comforts a man, the man's speech is full of feeling, and listening to him is like listening to the voice of God. (2) One who has felt a wound knows where and how to touch one. In our inexperience we are too blunt or too shy, and hurt the sensibilities we would soothe: we lay bare when we should shroud, and cover up a wound we should try to purge. (3) "Comforted of God." Who comforteth like Him? "He knoweth our frame," etc. It is worth while to stand in need of God's comforts and to experience them, if we may but acquire an aptitude like this. 3. There is no honour comparable with the gratitude and love bestowed on a consoler, and no satisfaction greater than the sense that we have carried comfort to a mourner. This was Christ's honour, joy, mission. II. PAUL'S TROUBLE WAS ONE IN CONNECTION WITH HIS MINISTRY, YET HE SPEAKS OF BEING PREPARED FOR ANY CASE NEEDING CONSOLATION. The power to console lies not in our ability to use a particular formula that shall suit a particular want; it lies in our acquaintance with God and His ways and the quickness of our sympathies with men. No one whose heart is tender and whose faith is strong may be deterred from trying to console a sufferer because he has not experienced a like calamity. The experience which is so valuable in all contact with souls is a tone of spirit rather than a knowledge of details; and it is this which is God's choice gift to those He comforts. (A. Mackennal, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; WEB: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;