Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

This is the Christian man’s consolation as he seeks to do the will of God in his life. The world is at enmity. As he bears the cross and despise the shame, there is a joy that surroundings him despite sufferings. It is borne out of faith that the gospel work has an eternal value. He can be hopeful for every ounce of suffering and heartache will receive a consolation and reward from Christ at the last day. Its not wasted effort but effecutal in Christ.

The Apostle Paul endured the sufferings of persecution in Corinth. Because he did not give up and was willing to bear with all that befell him, there were those in Corinth who believed. These form the nucleus of the infant church. His message to the Corinthian church was not about him rather it was about them.

These words of the Apostle Paul was a historical testimony to the founding of the church in Corinth in Acts 18:1-11 (KJV) 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; … 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. He first preached to the Jews, his own countrymen, who rejected the message and persecuted him.

Sufferings can come to the Christian because of his faith in Jesus Christ. As he seeks to please Christ and do His will, sufferings can come perhaps as a result of persecution as in the experience of the Apostle Paul. He was not dismayed because he experienced the comfort and strengthening that Christ promised His disciples.

The word “tribulation’ means “pressing together, squeezing”. It describes a pressure applied to a breaking point. The Apostle Paul speaks of the comfort of God’s mercies during the time of tribulation for God’s people. He is there for them to take care of them who are in any trouble.

Believers in the face of afflictions can attest to God’s help in sending relief, comfort and solace. It is in their experience of God’s presence in their afflictions that gives them the confidence to recommend Him to others going through affliction.

Our Father in heaven is called the Father of mercies because He dispenses His mercies to His people. Daniel admits in his prayer to this truth in Daniel 9:9-10 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.