Daily Manna

Key Verse

“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

TEXT — 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

Message

Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She lost her senses of seeing and hearing when she was 19 months old. She attended specialist and mainstream schools for formal education, sometimes suffering loneliness, rejection, and ridicule. She said that she was a devout Christian who believed in God; she was moved by the comfort of the Scriptures to declare famously: “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

A disabled Helen Keller took a cue from Apostle Paul, who wrote about his agonizing experience in Macedonia, where, during a missionary expedition, he and Silas were beaten, disgraced, and imprisoned without committing a crime. All they did was proclaim the gospel of Christ and stand firmly by their position. When so persecuted, they leaned on God, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation.”

The Christian journey to heaven is no bed of roses. There are ups and downs. Symbolically, it is like the two sides of a coin. Undeniably, the Christian faith ushers the believer into a life of joy, peace, power, glory, mercy, and favour. We are children of God and have the assurance of answered prayers. We have the hope of life eternal. As our Master counselled, we rejoice not because demons are subject unto us but we should because our names are written in the book of life! However, the believer is not exempted from life’s challenges and tribulations. We still have trials, temptations, and difficulties. At times, we are misunderstood and misinterpreted. We may be cast out of assemblies for no just cause. There could be hunger or deprivations. Christian pilgrims must understand that these are not strange experiences. Our Saviour and the apostles had their shares.

Our text reveals, however, that the God of all comforts and consolation will not leave us in times of troubles. We shall come out more than conquerors. Apostle Paul’s example is a model for us all. His challenges did not hinder his commitment to the Lord. He comforted those in similar situations, ‘’Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” The challenges of life make us better Christians and good comforters.

Thought for the day

The best helpers should be those who have been helped.

• Bible
• in one year
• DEUTERONOMY 7 – 9 (Read By Alexander Scourby)