We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 46a.
This is in the Sing Psalms version, Psalm 46a, page 59 of the psalm books.
We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7, the tune is Stroudwater.
God is our refuge and our strength, our ever-present aid.
Therefore, though the earth gives way, we will not be afraid.
We'll sing from verse 1 to 7, we stand to sing to God's praise.
We will not be afraid.
Though mountains fall into the sea, though waters come and roar, we will not fear.
Though mountains sway, as waves engulf the shore.
I'll rip our clothes to sing's delight, the city of our God.
God is within us, holy place.
The holy place in which the Lord, Messiah, says aboard.
God is within us, holy place.
The city will not yield.
God is within us, holy place.
For God will come, that ring of day, to be her help and shield.
The nations are in despair.
The kingdoms disappear.
God speaks, and at His mighty voice, the whole earth melts with fear.
The Lord Almighty is with us, to strength and glad sustain.
For Jacob's blood, our strong defence, and war shall remain.
Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer.
Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven, we thank you as we come, singing praise to you for these words that remind us that you are a God who is a refuge, a strength for us, that you are one who is almighty and always with us.
And we pray to know that today as we gather here, as we come from the youngest to the oldest, as we come, gathering under the name of Jesus, gathering to worship you, to praise you.
Help us to know that you are with us.
Help us to know your presence.
Help us to know through your word that you are speaking to us, that we would learn more and more about you.
And we pray for all our young ones.
We pray for them as they go out in a moment to the tweenies and the Sunday school and the Bible class.
Thank you for each one of them and for all who help with teaching.
And we just pray that you will be with them, Lord, that you will bless them and be near to them in that time that they share together.
And also through the week, Lord, in our schools and in our communities as families and as children in our communities, Lord, we pray for your blessing and peace to be upon us day after day.
Guide us, help us, help us to know that you are with us.
Help those who are going away from home in these coming days for the first time or returning to studies.
Bless them and keep them as they go away, as they continue their studies elsewhere, Lord, that they would know that you are with them, that you are for them.
So, Lord, be with us, bless us, guide us and help us as we ask all things in that name above every name, the name of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior, for his sake and for his glory.
Amen.
Well, we word to the young ones before you go out.
We're just going to think about what we're going to be looking at in the service this morning.
We're going to be thinking about a word that we find in the Bible quite often and especially where we're going to look at later on.
We're going to be reading in 2 Corinthians.
It's a word that keeps coming up in chapter one there.
And it's a word you're probably familiar with, comfort.
What does comfort mean?
What do you think of when you think of comfort?
It's maybe the place that you sleep, your bed.
It's a comfortable place.
It's a place that you like.
Sometimes a place that you don't want to get out of because it's such a comfortable place.
It might be comfortable clothes.
Maybe, like many people, you just like to get out of a suit and a tie like this or out of something that you're wearing coming to church.
You like to just put on your pajamas again when you get home because you're nice and comfortable in that clothes.
There's lots of different things that make us comfortable.
But what about when we come into church?
What about when we come and learn together around God's word?
Are we comfortable there?
Well, God wants us to be comfortable.
God wants us to know that he is with us.
That's what we were singing in that psalm in verse 7.
The Lord Almighty is with us.
And it's amazing how he has promised to be with us.
As we're thinking of that word comfort, in the Gospel of John, where Jesus was with his disciples, his close friends, and he was telling them that he had to go away from them, he says, I'm not going to leave you alone, though.
And what he says is, I am going to give you a comforter.
A comforter.
And what did he mean?
Well, he meant the Holy Spirit.
He was like, you know, it's not.
And it's like something we cannot see, and yet we know it's there.
For example, think about yesterday, and how windy it was yesterday.
And you're seeing maybe the trees shaking around or something that's been sitting outside.
It's not tied down, and starts blowing around.
What's moving it?
What's moving the trees?
You can't see it, but it's the wind.
It's the wind that's moving it, even up here.
Sometimes I show you what's in the pool, but you never believe this.
But look at this.
What does this do?
It's a fan, isn't it?
So when I'm getting hot and bothered up here, I can switch on the fan and it'll cool me down.
But you couldn't see the wind that it moves, but it's still there.
You know it's there because you feel it on you.
And that's the way that God reminds us that he is with us.
The Holy Spirit is described as a wind, a mighty wind.
We can't see him, but we know he's there as we trust in him.
So even as we come together today, we come worshipping Jesus.
We come looking to God, but we come remembering the Holy Spirit is with us and in us when we trust in Jesus.
That's the promise that he will give us his comforter, his Holy Spirit.
So as we come together here, we can see it's a place of peace, a place of comfort, a place to come away from the busyness of everything else that is going on and just come and know that God is with us.
That he gives us his comfort and his comforter, the Holy Spirit.
And so we look to him to be with us today and every day.
We might not see him, but he helps us to know that he is there in every situation of every day.
He is our great comforter.
Well, we're going to say the Lord's Prayer together now.
Let's pray.
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
We're going to sing again now.
We're going to sing in Psalm 9, in the Sing Psalms version.
Psalm 9.
This is on page 9 of the psalm books.
And the young ones can go out to the Sunday school at this time.
Psalm 9.
We're going to sing from verse 7 down to verse 12.
The Lord forever reigns on high.
His throne for judgment stands.
He'll judge the world in righteousness with justice.
Rule the lands.
We'll sing from verse 7 down to verse 12.
And the tune is done firmly.
And we stand to sing.
The Lord forever reigns on high.
His throne for judgment stands.
He'll judge the world in righteousness with justice through the lands.
The Lord will be a hiding place for those who are oppressed.
And he will be a strong defense for those who have oppressed.
All those who know your name, O Lord, in you their trust will place.
For you do not abandon those who seek your gracious face.
Sing praises to the Lord who sits.
In Zion on his throne.
Among the nations of the world.
Se ones Smith-
Any news emblens
The vessels of the world to appear.
He never will ignore.
We'll turn together now to read God's word in 2 Corinthians chapter 1.
2 Corinthians chapter 1.
We read from the beginning down to verse 11.
You'll find this around page 1160 in the Church Bibles.
2 Corinthians chapter 1 at verse 1.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
to the church of God that is at Corinth,
with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia,
grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
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.
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings,
so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation,
and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which you experience when you patiently endure
the same sufferings that we suffer.
Our hope for you is unshaken,
for we know that as you share in our sufferings,
you will also share in our comfort.
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers,
of the affliction we experienced in Asia.
For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength
that we despaired of life itself.
Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death,
but that was to make us rely not on ourselves,
but on God who raises the dead.
He delivered us from such a deadly peril,
and he will deliver us.
On him we have set our hope
that he will deliver us again.
You also must help us by prayer,
so that many will give thanks on our behalf
for the blessing granted us
through the prayers of many.
And so on.
And may God bless that reading of his word.
Let's again bow our heads in a word of prayer.
Let us pray.
Lord, our gracious God,
we do thank you for this day.
We thank you for the reminder of it,
that it is the first day of the week,
and that we begin it looking to you.
We are reminded of it,
the very power of the resurrection on this day.
For on the first day of the week,
Jesus rose from the grave.
And we thank you that we come today to worship him
as our Lord and as our God,
as our risen saviour.
We do pray, Lord,
that together we would know
that power of the resurrection in our hearts
and in our souls,
that power that gives life to us,
that power that keeps us
and sustains us day by day,
the power of your grace
that is all-sufficient,
and the power of your word
that is a power unto salvation.
We pray that as your word is proclaimed,
as your word is preached this day,
not just here,
but far and wide,
that it will be accompanied
by that mighty power of the Holy Spirit,
that mighty rushing wind,
as it's described in the book of Acts,
that power that is there
to quicken our hearts and our souls,
to remind us of the wonder of your grace
and the precious nature of your love,
your steadfast love towards us,
that love that is unchanging and unchangeable,
that love that is so demonstrated
in your giving your Son, Jesus Christ,
and that as we look to him,
as we look to the cross,
as we look to all that he has done for us,
remembering that he is risen,
but that in order to rise,
he had to go down,
and that he came under the power of death himself,
in order that we might know
the power of life through him.
And so bless us, Lord,
bless your word to us,
remember us as your people,
remember us as a congregation
and as a church here.
We thank you, Lord,
that we have that promise
of your presence with us,
and we pray to know that day after day,
that we would depend upon it
for all our different needs,
not just as we worship you together here,
but as we go away from here,
as we go into the day ahead
and even into the week ahead,
that we would go rejoicing in you,
acknowledging you as Lord and God,
and knowing that you are with us,
that that might be your help.
In every circumstance,
we find ourselves,
even in the days ahead.
We thank you that you are God,
and there is no other.
Remember our homes and our families,
remember our communities.
We pray, Lord,
for your peace to be over us.
We pray for your help
in the many different situations
that we see around us,
people going through times of ill health,
people going through times of grief and sorrow,
people going through times of anxiety and worries,
perhaps over work or lack of it,
debt and anxiety for the future
of what might come.
But Lord,
we thank you that you are
the God of all comforts,
and we pray that
we would know that power
and presence in our midst
as a people,
that we would know your Holy Spirit
working around us
in the many lives that we see,
the lives of your people
who have already trusted in you,
that you would strengthen
and encourage our faith,
and the lives of those
who have not yet trusted,
those who are still,
as the word describes
finding themselves
in the darkness of this world,
that they would see
the wonder of the light of the gospel
and the glory of the face of Jesus Christ,
that you would draw them to yourself.
Remember your church far and wide,
O Lord.
We thank you for the way you build your church,
the way we are assured
that your kingdom comes with power.
And we do pray for the ministry of your word,
and we pray today especially for
the beginning of a new ministry
in North Uist,
giving thanks for the induction yesterday
of Reverend David Ferguson,
remembering him as he preaches,
even at this time,
as the first service
and as a minister of the congregation there.
May your blessing be with him
and all the people
who are gathered there as well.
And we thank you for David,
for Catherine,
and for young Duncan.
We thank you for
the way you have guided them
and led them
into that place.
And we pray that they will know
your nearness,
your presence with them
each day,
in each moment of it.
We do pray for the wider church as well.
We pray for you to raise up
those who administer the gospel
as we hear of vacancies
and upcoming vacancies so often,
as we see the great needs around us,
as the harvest is so great
in our cities,
in our towns,
in our villages,
Lord.
We long for days of salvation.
And we know that
the word needs to go out,
that your word
is that power to salvation.
And so we pray for those
who would come
and hear your call
and be obedient to it
and to respond,
saying,
here am I,
send me.
And all the fears
and anxieties
you might have in that,
Lord,
we can depend on you.
And so we pray for people,
men,
to be raised up
to proclaim the wonders
of your gospel
and for men and women,
boys and girls,
to be encouraged
in sharing the gospel
of being lights
in this world
in which we live.
Remember our nation,
Lord,
as we pray for our leadership
over us
in all the difficulties
and trials
and experience
that they have at this time.
Lord,
we pray for your wisdom
and government over us.
We pray for your blessing
to be poured out upon them,
that we will be led
by a people
who know the power
of the Holy Spirit,
the power that you have
to transform
and to change a nation
from a decline
to delight
and to delight in the Lord.
So hear our prayers
for our people,
for our nations
of the world,
for the gospel cause
far and wide
and for your people
near and far,
that you would remember us,
Lord,
that you would do us good,
that you would make
your face to shine upon us,
that we might rejoice
in you.
So hear our prayers.
Continue with us,
pardoning all our sins
as we confess them
anew before you
this day,
our shortcomings,
our omissions,
all that we do,
though,
Lord,
that is against your will.
We pray to know
forgiveness
and your mercy upon us.
So hear us now
and continue with us
and we ask all
in the name of Jesus,
our Lord and Saviour,
for his sake
and for his glory.
Amen.
Before we turn back
to look at
2 Corinthians chapter 1,
we'll sing again
to God's praise.
And we sing in Psalm 121
in the Scottish Psalter,
page 416.
Psalm 121,
we can sing
the whole of this psalm.
I to the hills
will lift mine eyes
from whence doth come
my need.
My safety cometh
from the Lord
who heaven and earth
hath made.
The tune is French
and we stand to sing
the whole of this psalm,
Psalm 121.
I to the hills
will lift mine eyes
from whence doth come
my name.
My safety cometh
from the Lord
through heaven
and earth
hath made.
Thy food
till naught
lets thine
nor will
be
the
blood
that he keeps.
Beholding
that
gives
Esgiel
his
slumber
sod
or
sleeves
The
Lord
he keeps
the
Lord
thy
shade
On
thy
right
hand
doth
stay
The
moon
by
night
they
shall
not
smite
nor
yet
the
sun
by
day
The
Lord
shall
keep
thy
soul
it
shall
preserve
thee
from
all
hell
As
forth
thy
going
out
and
then
on
thee
on
ever
will
we
can
turn
back
to
our
reading
in
2nd
Corinthians
chapter
1
and
we're
going
to
read
at
verse
3
these
two
verses
verse
3
and
4
and
that
will
be
our
focus
this
morning
together
blessed
be the
God
and
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
Father
of
Marsha
and
God
of
all
comfort
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
so that
we may
be able
to
comfort
those
who
are
in
any
affliction
with
a
comfort
with
which
we
ourselves
are
comforted
by
God
as
you
read
through
this
section
of
2nd
Corinthians
these
opening
verses
of
this
chapter
of
this
letter
second
letter
Paul
is
writing
to
the
church
in
Corinth
you
quite
quickly
begin
to
see
the
point
that
he
is
going
to
be
making
in
this
section
by
that
word
that
keeps
appearing
in
all
its
different
forms
and
the
word
is
comfort
and
comforted
it
just
comes
up
again
and
again
in
one
form
or
another
it
is
there
ten
times
in
verse
three
through
to
verse
seven
and
it's
just
keeping
appearing
there
and
this
is
one
of
the
great
passages
of
scripture
where
you
see
God's
divine
comfort
for
his
people
it's
not
about
telling
others
to go
and
comfort
somebody
it's
a
reminder
that
God
the
father
is
the
father
of
all
comfort
and
that
is
he
that
is
doing
the
comforting
and
maybe
when
you
hear
the
word
comfort
and
help
and
comfort
in
a
time
of
need
an
immediate
response
is to
think
of a
time
of
bereavement
and the
sorrow
and sadness
that that
brings
and of
course
it is
a time
when we
need
comfort
and a
time
when God
is able
to offer
comfort
but this
passage
and what
he is
saying
to the
church
at
Corinth
is not
just
for a
time
of bereavement
although that
comes into
it
it is
much
more
than
that
it is
such
a
wide
ranging
form
of
comfort
that
God
offers
to
his
people
and
it is
a
comfort
in
a
whole
host
of
experiences
that
God's
people
will
go
through
and
it is
a
reminder
of
the
wonder
of
God's
care
towards
his
people
the
mighty
God
is
with
us
that's
the
theme
from
the
Psalms
that we
have
sung
that we
can look
to
God
who
is
there
for
us
God
who
is
with
us
and
so
that
is
what
is
at
the
heart
of
this
passage
and
at
the
heart
of
this
passage
is
that
it's
about
salvation
in
God
as
well
it's
about
a
people
that
God
has
called
to
himself
as
you
see
in
this
section
he's
writing
to
God's
people
and
begins
with
that
in
the
opening
verses
Paul
an apostle
of
Christ
Jesus
by
the
will
of
God
and
Timothy
to
the
church
of
God
that
is
Corinth
to
the
people
of
God
who
are
at
Corinth
and
so
it
begins
by
outlining
that
in order
to
know
and
experience
this
comfort
we
have
to
be
a
people
who
know
and
experience
the
salvation
of
God
who
put
our
trust
in
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
so
there's
these
two
things
going
side
by
side
because
we
know
in
our
day
to
day
experiences
we
know
for
ourselves
that
we
go
through
experiences
where
we
need
a
sense
of
comfort
for
our
hearts
and
for
our
souls
and
we
often
ask
where
can
we
go
where
can
we
find
this
comfort
or
we
think
of
others
around
us
going
through
different
experiences
and
you
long
for
them
to
be
comforted
you
know
that
they're
looking
for
comfort
where
can
they
go
where
can
we
direct
them
to
well
we
can
direct
them
to
what
this
passage
explains
to
us
blessed
be
the
God
and
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
Father
of
mercies
and
God
of
all
comfort
that
there
is
the
Lord
who
is
with
us
there
are
times
in
our
life
when
we
maybe
think
of
a
place
where
we
can
go
and
we
just
find
a
sense
of
peace
and
a
sense
of
comfort
there
you
might
have
a
place
that
you
enjoy
going
yourself
it
might
be
just
a
room
in
the
house
where
you
feel
like
you
just
want
to
get
away
from
everything
I
just
want
to
have
my
quiet
time
I
just
want
to
have
a
sense
of
just
being
by
myself
as it
were
or
it
might
be
a
place
outside
that
you
go
to
a
place
that
you
enjoy
just
being
there
because
it's
away
from
everything
and
everyone
and
you're
just
wanting
to
find
a
sense
of
solace
there
a
sense
of
peace
but
where
can
we
ultimately
go
to
find
that
comfort
that
peace
to
a
place
and
above
all
to
a
person
as
we
think
of
Paul
writing
this
letter
to
the
church
at
Corinth
to
a
people
who
are
going
through
as
we
will
see
all
kinds
of
afflictions
there
are
people
who
have
come
to
experience
the
wonder
of
the
grace
of
God
through
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
it's
always
there
before
us
here
blessed
be
the
God
and
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ
is
there
at
the
heart
of
it
all
he
is
the
one
that
we
are
to
look
to
he
is
the
one
that
we
are
to
see
as
the
place
of
all
comfort
we
have
God
the
Father
we
have
God
the
Son
and
as
we
see
here
to
the
comfort
of
the
Holy
Spirit
where
do
we
see
it
we
see
God's
love
to
us
at
the
cross
we
see
that
God
wants
us
to
have
peace
and
comfort
through
him
and
so
he
has
given
us
his
Son
and
so
now
we
can
come
to
God
our
Father
through
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
know
the
comfort
of
the
Holy
Spirit
in
our
hearts
so
in
these
two
verses
verse
three
and
four
there's
three
things
we
want
to
draw
out
of
these
verses
in
regards
to
the
way
that
Paul
speaks
about
comfort
and
these
three
things
the
first
thing
is
we
need
comfort
we
as
a
people
are
a
people
who
need
comfort
the
second
thing
is
that
we
receive
comfort
and
then
the
third
thing
that
we'll
see
is
that
we
are
then
able
to
share
our
comfort
with
others
to
offer
comfort
to
others
so
there's
these
three
things
in
these
verses
and
the
first
thing
is
we
need
comfort
Paul
writing
to the
Christian
community
here
in
Corinth
he's
writing
to them
as it
says
here
as an
apostle
chosen
an
apostle
of
Jesus
Christ
chosen
by
the
will
of
God
it
says
in
verse
one
he's
writing
through
the
will
of
God
and
this
is
the
will
of
God
for
the
church
at
Corinth
for
the
people
at
Corinth
that
they
would
hear
this
message
that
God
has
given
to
Paul
and
it's
the
will
of
God
that
we
would
hear
this
message
ourselves
today
it is
the
will
of
God
that
we
are
gathered
here
today
to
hear
this
wonderful
message
of
comfort
that
God
still
speaks
to
his
church
to
his
people
and
our
comfort
as we
see
begins
with
faith
is
believing
in
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
that's
what
Paul
begins
by
saying
here
grace
and
peace
from
God
our
Father
and
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
grace
and
peace
they're
the
foundations
of
our
faith
our
faith
is
by
grace
through
God
the
grace
of
God
and
the
peace
of
God
through
Christ
Jesus
our
Lord
so
faith
is
at
the
heart
of
this
and
in
the
midst
of
our
faith
our
afflictions
are
not
hidden
from
God
blessed
in
verse
3
blessed
be the
God
and
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
Father
of
mercies
and
God
of
all
comfort
why is
he saying
these
things
well he's
saying
them
because
in
verse
4
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
he is
saying
these
things
because
he knows
the
experience
of
his
people
he knows
what's
happening
in
Corinth
he knows
what's
happening
in their
lives
he knows
all the
different
challenges
that they
are facing
because
of their
faith
because
of their
faith
in the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
he knows
that they
need
comfort
in these
afflictions
because
affliction
itself
has
behind
them
meaning
of being
pressed
down
upon
that
their
circumstances
that
everything
that they
are going
through
is weighing
heavy
upon
them
that is
what is
happening
to the
people
of God
in
Corinth
their
faith
is bringing
trials
into their
lives
trials
that they
haven't
had
when they
weren't
believing
in the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
but now
that they
have
come
to
faith
those
around
them
who
are
opposed
to
them
are
bringing
them
affliction
upon
affliction
of all
kinds
of
different
things
there's
no
hiding
place
from
it
for
them
in
the
same
way
as
there
isn't
for
us
the
afflictions
that
come
in
life
even
as
believers
even
in
our
faith
there are
struggles
there are
challenges
that will
always
come
our
way
and we
can feel
a great
burden
we can
feel
pressed
down
and we
feel
a longing
for
comfort
just
imagine
as
you're
feeling
unwell
maybe
you've
a sore
head
or sore
joints
or muscles
there's
a pain
that just
wouldn't
go away
you just
want a
sense
of relief
you want
a sense
of being
free
from it
well
here we
are reminded
that the
Lord
knows
our
every
affliction
our
every
pain
our
every
experience
that we
are finding
difficult
and he
is giving
a promise
of his
presence
a promise
of his
help
he knows
your need
of comfort
he knows
my need
of comfort
and so
often as
you see
and if you
tie this
in with
the psalms
and the
experience
of the
psalmist
when he's
often
crying out
to God
in affliction
and trouble
and pain
it's almost
like he's
saying
where are
you God
have you
forgotten
me
and yet
God so
often
reminds
the psalmist
no
I am
with you
and so
instead of
blaming God
in our
afflictions
and losing
sight of the
fact that
there is
comfort
we want
to look
at the
scriptures
we want
to look
at the
word of
God
and see
how serious
God is
about the
need
that we
have for
comfort
and the
knowledge
that he
has of
it
and that
as we
look to
the word
of God
and we
take
seriously
and take
to heart
the word
of God
we do
see more
and more
the comfort
that he
offers
and the
desire of
God
to comfort
it's there
right
throughout
the scriptures
you go
back to
the Old
Testament
to the
prophets
Isaiah
chapter 40
when there's
this turning
point in the
experience of
God's people
when things
have been going
so well
for them
but now
they are
coming under
attack
and being
taken into
captivity
when they're
suffering and
affliction is
becoming more
and more
what does
the word
of God
say
what does
God say
to his
prophet
he says
comfort
my people
says
your God
comfort
that is
what God
wants
for his
people
Jeremiah
chapter 31
it's the
same
the prophet
there again
ministering to
a people
who have
turned their
back on
God
but now
are coming
under the
warning of
the judgment
of God
in chapter
31
verse 13
it says
that a
time is
coming
then the
maidens
will dance
and be
glad
young men
and old
as well
I will
turn their
mourning
into
gladness
I will
give them
comfort
and joy
instead
of sorrow
so there is
this knowledge
that God
has
that he
knows
his people
circumstances
he knows
their
situation
even with
Paul himself
later on
in this
letter
in chapter
4
he says
we are
hard pressed
we are
afflicted
on every
side
but not
crushed
and he
goes on
to list
so many
things
and it's
all
going
through it
by the
comfort
of God
God
the Lord
knows
we need
comfort
and so
even as
we read
through
this letter
we are
reminded
that God
is a
God of
knowledge
for his
people
and he
knows
exactly
what we
need
he's
the God
of all
comfort
and it's
interesting
that he
uses
that phrase
the God
of all
comfort
because
Corinth
was a
place
that was
full of
idols
full of
false
gods
so you
would have
had
the God
of this
comfort
the God
of that
comfort
the God
for this
need
the God
for that
need
they would
have all
been there
a whole
host of
gods
for the
people
that they
were relying
on
but Paul
says here
blessed be the
God and
Father of
our Lord
Jesus
Christ
the Father
of mercies
and God
of all
comfort
and it's
a powerful
reminder
that the
comfort we
need
it cannot
be found
anywhere else
he is
the God
of all
comfort
he is the
one that we
are to go
to in our
need of
comfort
because he's
the only
one who
is able
to help
he is the
God of
all comfort
and it's
not only the
God of
some comfort
but all
comfort
it is not
a one
size fits
all as it
were
it's a
personal
comfort
a tailor
made
comfort
so he
knows
every
individual
need
of comfort
and he's
able to
provide
for all
aspects
of comfort
that we
need
and it's
all degrees
of comfort
there is
nothing that
God can
say well
that's beyond
my reach
that's beyond
my capability
he's the
God of
all comfort
he gives
for every
experience
there is
nothing
out with
his reach
he knows
our need
of comfort
he knows
that every
circumstance
that needs
his comfort
and that's
an amazing
thing for
us to
remember
that as we
go through
these experiences
in life
just like the
church
the people
in Corinth
in the midst
of all
their affliction
they had
the God
of all
comfort
who knew
their every
need
and so
do we
he knows
we need
it
the second
thing we
see is
we receive
comfort
Paul says
we need
comfort
but he's
also directing
us to the
one who
is able
to give
comfort
and it's
there in
verse 4
the beginning
of it
who comforts
us in
all our
affliction
God
comforts
us in
all our
affliction
God's
promises
are so
many
and the
promises
so often
remind us
that he
is there
for us
when someone
makes a
promise
to us
we can
so often
be let
down
when they
fail us
but when
God has
promised
something
it will
come
to be
and so
if he
has promised
comfort
it will
come
to be
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
he
reminds
us
there
that
he
is
there
for
us
every
step
of
the
way
how
often
have
you
seen
that
poem
footprints
in
the
sand
many
homes
have
it
hanging
on
the
wall
there's
a picture
of these
footprints
walking
along
the
beach
and
the
story
behind
it
is
that
the
person
is
looking
at
these
footprints
in
the
sand
as
their
journey
through
life
and how
these
two
sets
of
footprints
were
going
side
by
side
there was
a
companion
along
the
way
but the
person
says
but
at
the
point
Lord
when I
needed
you
most
there's
only
one
set
of
footprints
why
have
you
left
me
then
when I
needed
you
most
and
the
response
is
I
haven't
left
you
that's
when I
carried
you
now
it may
not
be
a
biblical
verse
it may
not
be
something
we
can
look
up
in
the
scriptures
in
that
sense
of
it's
there
to
tell
us
these
very
words
but
the
theme
behind
those
words
is
so
clear
it's
there
for
us
as
you
look
through
the
scriptures
it's
a
reminder
to
us
of
the
God
who
speaks
through
us
through
his
word
even
in
these
verses
that
we're
looking
at
all
comfort
the
one
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
that's
not
a
God
who
has
left
us
in
our
need
but
that
is
a
God
who
is
with
us
in
our
every
need
in
the
gospel
of
John
chapter
14
when
the
disciples
are
with
Jesus
we
were
saying
to
the
young
ones
earlier
on
there's
that
promise
of
the
comforter
the
Holy
Spirit
I
will
not
leave
you
orphans
he
says
I
will
come
to
you
I
am
not
going
to
abandon
you
I
am
not
going
to
leave
you
helpless
I
will
come
to
you
and
he
comes
to
his
people
through
the
comforter
the
Holy
Spirit
the
word
comfort
itself
it
has
that
meaning
behind
it
of
one
called
alongside
the
paraclete
is
another
name
for
the
Holy
Spirit
and
that
word
basically
means
the
one
who
is
called
alongside
and
so
that's
the
experience
we
have
in
the
comfort
that
God
gives
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
the
comfort
comes
through
the
one
who
is
called
alongside
the
one
who
comes
in
those
times
of
need
the
one
who
is
with
us
we
have
that
great
assurance
and
Paul
himself
has
known
this
assurance
he has
seen
it
again
and
again
and
he
outlines
it
in
this
letter
once
more
later
on
in
chapter
6
he
has
been
imprisoned
he's
been
beaten
he's
been
shipwrecked
in
2nd
Corinthians
6
verse 9
and
10
he says
how
could
he
have
that
experience
how
could
he
say
all
of
these
things
because
he's
enjoyed
the
experience
the
gracious
presence
of
the
Lord
with
him
he's
looked
to
Christ
he's
met
with
Christ
he's
trusted
Christ
and
so
that
as
he
goes
on
as
he's
pressing
on
in
all
these
troubles
and
all
these
afflictions
he's
able
to
say
as
he
does
elsewhere
I
can
do
all
things
through
Christ
who
strengthens
me
the
one
who
is
with
me
the
one
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
he
looks
to
Christ
who is
in
control
of
all
things
and
that's
who
we
are
to
look
to
Stevenson
in
one
of
his
writings
he
tells
a
story
about
a
ship
that
was
off
the
coast
in
the
midst
of
a
storm
and
this
ship
was
in
danger
of
being
foundering
on
the
rocks
of
being
shipwrecked
and
the
passengers
felt
this
fear
in
the
midst
of
it
and
the
way
he
tells
the
story
he
says
about
in
the
midst
of
everything
that
was
going
on
and
people
had
been
told
to
stay
below
deck
for
their
own
safety
but
one
man
decided
to
go
up
on
deck
and
just
see
for
himself
what
was
happening
and
so
as
he
went
up
on
deck
he
made
his
way
to
the
wheelhouse
or
towards
the
wheelhouse
and
he
looked
up
there
and
he
saw
the
pilot
as he
describes
or the
captain
as we
might
say
who
was
at
the
wheel
of
the
ship
and
it
was
holding
steadily
onto
the
wheel
of
the
ship
inch
by
inch
just
guiding
the
ship
through
the
storm
and
away
from
the
rocks
and
the
pilot
the
captain
looked
down
and
saw
this
man
and
smiled
at
him
and
in
that
moment
the
man
knew
that
it
was
going
to
be
okay
and
so
he
went
back
down
below
deck
and
said
to
the
other
people
on
board
that
it
was
going
we
can
say
in
our
lives
I'm
not
in
control
I
am
not
in
control
of
this
situation
but
we
can
also
say
by
God's
word
as
we
trust
in
him
but
I
am
deeply
loved
by
the
one
who
is
in
control
that
we
have
a
God
we
have
a
Lord
we
have
the
Holy
Spirit
the
God
and
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
Father
of
mercies
and
God
of
all
comfort
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
it's
an
amazing
thing
to know
that
God
is
with
us
that
he
is
the
one
who
is
comforting
who
in
chapter
four
of
this
letter
says
for
God
who
said
let
light
shine
out
of
darkness
has
shone
in
our
hearts
to
give
the
light
of
the
knowledge
of
the
glory
of
God
in
the
face
of
Jesus
Christ
that
is
the
comfort
that
he
gives
the
light
of
the
knowledge
of
the
glory
of
God
in
the
face
of
Jesus
Christ
our
captain
the
captain
of
our
salvation
who
says
it
is
all
well
he
comforts
he
comforts
the
third
thing
and the
final
thing
that
we
see
here
is
that
in
the
midst
of
our
comfort
that
we
are
given
we
too
are
able
to
offer
comfort
he
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
so
that
we
may
be
able
to
comfort
those
who
are
in
any
affliction
with
a
comfort
with
which
we
ourselves
are
comforted
by
God
John
MacArthur
the
American
preacher
he
says
the
trials
of
life
inevitably
provide
God
with
the
opportunity
to
humble
us
and
humbling
is
a
path
to
glory
he
allows
so
much
trouble
in
order
that
he
might
give
so
much
comfort
and
so
much
strength
that
we
might
not
in
our
own
strength
but
in
his
become
all
he
wants
us
to
be
we
are
comforted
in
our
own
trials
and
part
of
the
outworking
of
that
then
is
that
we
are
able
to
comfort
others
and
how
often
has
it
happened
in
your
own
life
experience
you
go
through
a
difficulty
that
you
don't
see
any
reason
for
and
yet
in
the
providence
of
God
is
an
experience
used
to
comfort
somebody
else
later
on
or
on
the
reverse
of
that
you
have
been
comforted
by
someone
who
has
come
alongside
you
in
their
experience
and
they're
able
to
see
when we
often
feel
we
don't
have
words
we
ourselves
are
able
to
comfort
through
the
way
we
were
comforted
by
God
through
the
way
we
knew
his
promises
the
way
we
knew
his
grace
the
way
we
knew
that
he
was
with
us
in
all
of
these
things
the
comfort
that
has
been
given
to
us
we
are
able
to
share
with
others
and
it
doesn't
matter
who
we
are
it
doesn't
matter
what
level
of
life
we
are
in
we
are
all
a
people
who
will
go
through
all
kinds
of
different
experiences
there
was a
story
told
once
of
a
queen
a
queen
who
had
in her
own
life
experienced
loss
and
grief
and
this
queen
heard
of
a
woman
who
had
lost
her
baby
and
she
could
enter
in
to
the
hurt
that
this
woman
was
going
through
now
that
time
in
as
with
her
own
days
royalty
would
not
just
mix
readily
with
others
but
this
woman
when
she
heard
about
the
mother
who
had
lost
her
child
she
felt
so
moved
by
that
she
wanted
to
go
and
visit
her
and
so
she
did
she
went
in
to
see
this
woman
in
her
own
home
and
after
she
left
the
neighbours
asked
the
woman
what
did
the
queen
say
to
you
and
the
woman
replied
nothing
all
she
did
was
put
her
hand
in
mine
and
we
silently
wept
together
and
yet
there
was
comfort
in
that
no
words
but
just
the
presence
was
comfort
enough
when
we
think
of
who
is
comforting
us
the
king
of
kings
and
lord
of
lords
is
the
one
who
has
come
to
comfort
his
people
and
it
is
his
comfort
that
we
are
able
to
offer
to
others
to
know
for
ourselves
the
wonder
of
the
God
and
father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
God
who
made
the
heavens
and
the
earth
the
God
who
is
in
power
over
all
things
he
has
come
to
comfort
us
he
is
the
God
of
all
comfort
he
is
the
God
who
comforts
us
in
all
our
affliction
so
we
might
comfort
others
we
all
look
for
comfort
in
our
lives
we
all
go
through
experiences
where
we
need
comfort
or we
see
others
around
us
who
need
comfort
what
do
we
have
to
offer
sometimes
we
feel
at a
loss
we
have
no
words
but
we
look
to
God
to
God
the
father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
the
God
of
all
comfort
because
there
is
nothing
beyond
his
reach
and
if
you
need
comfort
today
he
is
there
he's
there
for
you
he
is
the
God
of
all
comfort
and
he
comforts
us
with
a
comfort
beyond
anything
else
so
may
we
be
comforted
and
may
we
be
comforted
to
those
around
us
for
the
wonder
of
the
God
who
remembers
us
the
God
who
says
comfort
my
people
says
our
God
let
us
pray
our
father
in
heaven
we
do
rejoice
in
your
goodness
to
us
that
you
remember
us
that
you
are
the
God
of
all
mercy
and
the
God
of
all
comfort
we
thank
you
for
the
way
that
you
are
able
to
comfort
us
in
all
our
needs
and
we
just
ask
Lord
that
you
will
make
us
comfort
us
to
others
as
well
of
the
wonders
and
the
glory
of
your
grace
and
your
mercies
towards
us
hear
our
prayers
Lord
remember
us
remember
us
in
all
our
needs
you
know
them
Lord
you
know
our
needs
and
so
we
commit
them
to
you
in
the
precious
name
of
Jesus
our
Lord
and
Saviour
Amen
we're
going
to
conclude
by
singing
to
God's
praise
in
Psalm
84
in
the
Scottish
Psalter
page
339
sorry
page
340
Psalm
84
at
verse
8
and
the
tune
is
Amazing
Grace
I'll
hear
what
God
the
Lord
will
speak
to
his
folk
he'll
speak
peace
and
to
his
saints
but
let
them
not
return
to
foolishness
to
them
that
fear
him
surely
near
is
his
salvation
that
glory
in
her
land
may
have
her
habitation
we'll
sing
from
verse
8
down
to
the
end
of
the
Psalm
we sing
to
God's
praise
God
your
God
of
hosts
my
prayer
dear
O
take
up
scott
here
where
say
God
thou
shield
look
on
the face
of
thine
anointed
dear
for
in
thy
courts
one
day
excels
a
thousand
rather
in
thy
God's
house
will
I
keep
at
for
that
well
in
case
of
sin
for
the
Lord
has
sun
and
shield
till
grace
and
glory
gave
and
well
with
hope
no
good
from
him
that
a
bright
new
land
O
thou
old
bad
heart
the
Lord
of
hosts
are
that
heart
is
truly
blessed
who
by
our
children
and
hope
the
hands
of
thee
alone
the
best
of
love
after
the
benediction
i'll go to the
main door we'll close the
benediction
now may grace mercy and peace from God
father son and holy spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore
forevermore
amen
end
your
黄
who
at
what
happens
or
in
km
up
have
been
thank you
you
me