Devotion • May 31
Today’s Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 1:1–11
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout 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 the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering.
Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation. We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (NRSV)
Reflection
A good and loving God neither causes affliction nor permits it. I know this in the depths of my soul. Now there are plenty of folks who proclaim God causes suffering in order to draw us closer to God or some idea of godliness. Still others waffle a bit and declare that while God does not cause harm, God allows it for some sort of higher purpose. This cannot possibly be true if I hold onto a good and loving God. That logic doesn’t hold for me.
I also know this to be true: people who have suffered are also the ones who show up first with a casserole, and they will show up at both the wake and the memorial. They will sit in silence when you cry, because they know that words and platitudes will not be a balm for gaping wounds. They will offer you a place to stay even when it doesn’t fit into their schedule. They will loan you a cup of sugar so you can make a special birthday cake even when their grocery money is scant. They will do your laundry, clean up your kitchen, and pull weeds in your garden instead of waiting for you to ask. You see they may not have suffered your exact affliction, but they know suffering and they know consolation.
God makes God’s presence known in the times when we are crushed and despairing, as Paul says in this scripture. Then God gives an uncanny sense of knowing what is needed. We do not suffer alone, because we are consoled by those who surround us. I believe in a good and loving God and the communion of ordinary folks who have suffered unimaginable afflictions and continue to show up in times of distress.
Prayer
God, you are good and loving. I know this. Help me to see your presence in times of affliction and offer consolation to those around me. And strengthen my casserole game. Amen.
Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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