Mercies in Christ

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).  It is very encouraging to read that God is the “Father of mercies,” which means He is the source of all mercy.  Likewise, it is most blessed to read that all comfort comes from Him.  Richard Sibbes points out that before God is the “Father” of all mercies and blessings to us, He is the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This emphasizes the all-important fact that God can show us mercy only because of Christ.  Outside of Christ there is only justice for guilty sinners.  Every single encouragement and blessing and mercy we ever experience in life is ours only because we have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  We owe everything to Him, and the proper response is expressed by Paul in verse 3: “Blessed be the God and Father.”  We bless God by praising and thanking Him; He blesses us by abundantly giving us all that we need.