2 Corinthians 7:5b-7, “But we were afflicted at every turn – fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with when he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.”
Are you in need of needing encouragement right now or have needed it during this past week? The words “comfort” or “consolation” are used ten times in 2 Corinthians 1: 1-11. God encourages us through His Word, but sometimes He uses people to give us the encouragement we need.
The great apostle, teacher, and spiritual leader in 2 Corinthians 7, who was Paul, had anxiety over a letter he had written to the church and was having regrets over it. Paul had a situation in his life where he desperately needed comfort too.
There are no age requirements or college degrees required in extending words of empathy, acts of service, giving positive feedback, or giving of one’s time to another in need. Do you feel like you have been going through the wringer during this COVID-19 crisis in quarantine and shelter-in-home change in life-style?
God used Titus to bring comfort to Paul in 2 Corinthians 7. Titus was one of Paul’s students. God used Titus to lift Paul’s spirits, who was downcast and feeling rejected in Macedonia, as Paul had opened his heart to the Corinthians as never before. Initially, it had been relayed back to Paul that his letter had wounded them. Paul had a passionate love for these people and felt he had to address a problematic issue. However, in the end, repentance was accomplished. Paul was excited to see Titus, and he brought reassurance to Paul, how much the Corinthian church cared, grieved, had turned back to the gospel, and was concerned about him as their spiritual leader. Titus was able to turn Paul’s regrets into rejoicing. The MSG states, “I went from worry to tranquility in no time.”
During this time of COVID-19, may we collectively give words of persuasive comfort and reassurance to one another that God knows exactly how long this will last. May our distress draw us together in unity in bringing us into the loving arms of Jesus. Trials prove and reveal where we are at in our faith and trust and walk with the Lord. They produce humility, and as Deut. 8:16b states, “. . . he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.”
Who has been like a Titus to you of helping turn your worry into tranquility recently?
Listen to King And Country’s song, “Joy.” They recently performed via YouTube, each band member together done remotely, a concert that is 42.57 minutes in length. It is called KING & COUNTRY-TOGETHER A Night of Hope. Their first song they sang was “Joy.” It is more fitting now during the COVID-19 crisis than when it was written. Replay the first line of this song, and you will know just what I mean.