THE FATHER OF MERCIES

Having spent eighteen months at Corinth, and having brought this church to the faith, is it any wonder such a bond existed between Paul and these believers, even though they had strayed, causing him heartache as their spiritual father?

So, again, he takes to writing a letter, in harness with Timothy, whom he describes as being likeminded. What an encouragement to think that each believer can be helped and sustained by such fellowship.

How often in the scriptures do we find two working together, particularly an older servant with a younger, as the baton of faith and experience is passed on with future service in mind.

He opens this letter with one of three similar New Testament benedictions, cp. Eph. 1. 3; 1 Pet. 1. 3. It calls to mind the undeserved favour that God bestows upon us and the resultant peace, that precious commodity which garrisons our ‘hearts and minds through Christ Jesus’, Phil. 4. 7. How precious that these two virtues are made available to us from the One who is our Father and so cares for us, and from the One who is our Saviour and treasures us. Grace is the source of our blessing, and peace is the river flowing from it. I trust, dear reader, you are experiencing peace as a torrent, or has it slowed to a trickle? Take up this thought in prayer again today -‘Grace is still flowing as a river, millions there have been supplied: still it flows as fresh as ever, from the Saviour’s wounded side’, WILLIAM SANDERS and HUGHBOURNE.

In verse 3, God is introduced to us in a threefold way - He is ‘the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’, ‘the Father of mercies’, and ‘the God of all comfort’. In our present meditation we shall focus on the second, for all mercies issue from Him. Trace this river too, as it flows right through scripture, ever protecting us from that which we rightfully deserved. ‘As a father pitieth his children’ is how He deals with us - He draws right alongside so that He can provide full support at all times, see Ps. 103. 13.

We can thank God for this revelation of His character. We too, in the proportion we receive comfort, will be able to dispense it to our fellow believers. This is how He deals with us, so let us pray to God today that we shall be able to deal with others similarly.