Thursday June 23, 2016

A Comforting Visit

-2 CORINTHIANS 7:1-7

Key Verse:

"Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus" (2 Corinthians 7:6).

Have you ever been in a situation where all things appeared bleak and you seemed troubled and disturbed, but all of a sudden, the visit of a beloved brother or friend brought you such an encouraging relief? Many of us can truly testify of such moments that the timely visit of a dear one turned providential. This underscores the importance of visitation. Apostle Paul shared a common experience in our text. He and his team had been faced with a very perplexing situation that had given them much trouble and concern. They had external pressures as well as internal struggles and fears. But they had such a great and soothing relief with the coming of Titus to them. Sometimes, we do not know how far-reaching the effects of a little deed like visitation can do in the lives of others. There are even times we think that our leaders and pastors do not need to be visited. This is probably because we think they do not have issues bothering them. But like we can see from the experience of Paul, our leaders need to be visited as well. This no doubt, will bring encouragement and comfort to them. If our leaders and pastors need to be visited, what about fellow believers and younger Christians? Certainly, profitable visitations will be of the essence. Reach out and visit other people. And when you visit, do not embark on a fault-finding mission. It shouldn't be with the intention of discovering the weaknesses of the other. Rather, it should be with the mind of bringing comfort and encouragement to others. There can't be a better way of strengthening the bonds of our fellowship than when we give one another a comforting visit.

Thought for the day: Better to be a channel of blessing than a tale-bearer.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 KINGS 9 - 10