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•5我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体没有丝毫安宁，反而到处遭患难，外有纷争，内有惧怕。6但那安慰灰心之人的　神藉着提多来安慰了我们；7不但藉着他来，也藉着他从你们所得的安慰安慰了我们，因为他把你们的思念，你们的哀恸，你们对我的热忱，都告诉了我，使我更加欢喜。

在保罗的时代，你无法方便的传递信息，你无法在社交媒体上发帖子，或是发短信息，或是发电子邮件。一切要靠写信和送信的人。想象一下你听说亲人生病了，你迫切的想知道他的消息，但这个消息可能要长达几个星期或几个月才能到达。当保罗从一个忠心的同工提多那里，听到关于哥林多教会的消息时，他说“使我更加欢喜。”

你明白保罗下面这句话的意思吗？“但那安慰灰心之人的神……”我们也常常用同样的词语来描述我们的感受。你可曾感到灰心、沮丧？有意思的是我们国家患抑郁症的人要比世界上大多数国家的人都要多。在泰国附近有一个小岛，那里的居民生活在海边，他们睡在草屋里，他们拥有的东西很少，但在他们的语言里没有“忧虑”或“抑郁”这样的词汇。我们拥有很多东西，但我们的忧虑太多了。当一切失去控制时，我们很容易变得沮丧。我们总是很忙碌，以至于没有片刻的安宁。很多事情会为我们的工作和私生活造成一片混乱。

但我们有一位安慰灰心之人的神。保罗在这里所使用的“安慰”这个词也许翻译为“鼓励”更好些。当我们忧虑的时候，上帝提醒我们他依然掌控着一切。当我们绝望的时候，上帝带给我们意想不到的安慰。当我们沮丧的时候，上帝让我们仰望福音，这个福音就是上帝对我们永久不变的爱。当我们需要朋友的时候，上帝会差派人来鼓励我们。所以，再次站立起来吧，超越周遭的环境和遭遇，仰望救主，在我们的救主耶稣那里找到盼望，使你里面的力量得到更新。

祷告：主耶稣，无论我们生命中的环境如何，你总是勉励并安慰我们。除你以外，在天上我有谁呢？除你以外，在地上我也没有所爱慕的。我的肉体和心肠会衰残，但你是我的力量和福分，直到永远！阿们。

2 Corinthians 7: 5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. (NIV)

You couldn’t just post something on Facebook in Paul’s day, or send them a text message, or an email. You did everything by letter and by messenger. Imagine waiting for news from a loved one that you heard was sick, news that may take weeks or months to arrive. When Paul heard news about the Corinthians through one of his faithful fellow servants, he said that “his joy was greater than ever.”

And did you catch this phrase?  “But God, who comforts the downcast…”  We use the same words to describe our feelings that Paul used in the Greek. Literally, “those who are down.” Do you ever get down? It’s interesting that there is more depression in our country than in most countries of the world. There is a small island off of Thailand, where the inhabitants live off the sea and sleep in grass huts.  They have so little, yet they have no word for “worry” or “depression” in their language. We have so much and we worry so much. When things go haywire, we easily become depressed. We are so busy that we don’t have time for a peaceful moment. And yes, this pandemic has caused pandemonium for our business and private lives as well.

But we have a God who comforts the downcast. The word Paul used may be better translated as “encourages.” When we worry, he reminds us that he is still in charge. When we are desperate, he brings us relief from unexpected corners. When we are depressed, he lifts us up with the good news of his faithful and abiding love for us. When we need a friend, he sends someone to us to encourage us. So rise above your circumstance and surroundings and find hope and refreshment in God our Savior, who comforts the downcast. 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you give us comfort and encouragement in all the circumstances of our life. Whom have I in heaven but you? And whom on earth do I desire besides you?  My heart and my strength may fail, but you are my strength and my portion forever! Amen