You don’t have to do this alone

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Renewed hope”

Our Bible verse for today: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “You don’t have to do this alone”

It has been almost five months now since my wife Linda went to heaven. Three weeks after that, our son Rick died too. Those were devastating losses for me but I was comforted by the overwhelming outpouring of love, encouragement, and support I received from the church. As bad as I was hurting and as uncertain as the future looked, I knew I could count on my church family to walk through that with me. Allen and Rebecca Foster were two of my biggest comforters during that time. They were concerned and so kind, and they made sure I knew I could count on them. As a result, thanks to people like Allen and Rebecca, I did have a glimmer of hope for the future. I knew I didn’t have to do this alone.

Little did I realize that less than five months later I would be sitting in Allen’s living room attempting to comfort him because of his loss of Rebecca. I found myself trying to return some of the love, concern, and comfort he and Rebecca had given to me during my time of grief.

But it wasn’t just Allen and Rebecca comforting me then, and it isn’t just me comforting Allen now. In situations like these God mobilizes the saints and He orchestrates an outpouring of love, comfort, and support. Immediately upon hearing of Rebecca’s passing, family, friends, and church members began calling, texting, gathering for prayer, offering assistance, and searching for ways to be helpful.

Why do Christians respond like that in situations like this? Because the Holy Spirit moves us to do this for each other. We are the hands and feet of Jesus for each other. As Paul noted in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, God is the God of all comfort, but most of the time He delivers that comfort through other Christians.

Five months ago I was the one in desperate need, and my church family was there to meet that need. Today it is Allen and his family. In the future it could be you and your family. If so, we will be there for you too. God will make sure of it. God is the God of all comfort, and He delivers that comfort to us through our brothers and sisters in Christ.

One of the greatest benefits to being part of a good church is that you know that in your time of need your church family will be there for you, and that gives you a glimmer of hope for the future. You are not alone, and you don’t have to do this alone.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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