“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.”2 Corinthians 1:3-5 MSG
Look who is right next to you! Do you feel His presence? He’s there. He’s always there. And especially when you are going through some hard times, He makes His presence known right alongside you. Just in case you slip or fall, He’s at-the-ready to pick you up and set you back on your feet. He will hold your hand and guide you through the rough spots and if you need to be carried for awhile, His strong, loving arms will cradle you. No wonder the Apostle Paul is praising Him! Not just a little praise but “ALL praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah. Father of ALL mercy! (mercy: not getting what we deserve) God of ALL healing counsel!” And why does He rescue, heal and comfort us in times of trial? Well, first, because He is our Father and He loves us unconditionally. But as we receive His amazing love and it transforms us, we, then, can come alongside someone else who is struggling and be there for them…just like He was there for you! That is the Ultimate and Original Pay-It-Forward. (Yep, that idea originated with God.) So, whether we are in the pits of despair or on the heights of mountaintops, He is there. He will never leave you nor forsake you. On the mountaintops, we are to enjoy Him. In the valleys, we are to enjoy His healing comfort. Either way, we are to experience His presence and know that “He is here! And here! And here! And here!” Wherever we may walk…He is there! And, what do you know… in the midst of our healing comfort…we can extend a hand to someone else who is hurting and share the hope of the Father of ALL mercy, the God of ALL healing counsel.
