Passage
2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
Rely on God Who Raises the Dead
Date: Feb. 21, 2016
Daily Bread
Introduction to Second Corinthians
Key Verse: 1:9b
First, the God of all comfort (1-7). After blessing them with grace and peace, Paul praised God as the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Paul and his companions had often faced trouble, sufferings and distress for their faith in Christ. But they also experienced God's great comfort in those trials of life. God's comfort encouraged and strengthened them. They could comfort others who were also undergoing difficulties. God's comfort produces patient endurance in our troubles and enables us to bless others.
Second, God will deliver us again (8-11). Paul and his companions underwent severe troubles in Asia. These were beyond their human limits to the point that they expected to die. But God allowed such trouble to come so that rather than rely on themselves, they would rely on God. God who raises the dead, delivered them from death. They learned to put their hope in God and knew he would continuously deliver them. God's deliverance was an answer to the prayers of many.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your comfort in our suffering. Thank you for teaching me to rely on you alone. Use me to comfort others in any trouble.
One Word: He will continue to deliver us
