Theology and Comfort

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." - 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

It is often said of theology that what it lacks in passion it has greatly gained in offensive reason. What it has gained in knowledge, it has lost in comfort. But as I conclude my study of God's omnipotence, I cannot help but dwell upon these verses and hope to be filled and strengthened by their resolution.

We are not promised a life without strife, but promised compassion. We are not promised a life without hardship, but promised deliverance. We are not promised a life without persecution, but promised companionship. We are not promised a life without death, but promised resurrection.

We are promised that whatever land we may be found or whatever act we are placed, it is not a path beyond God's all encompassing power. The God who spoke the universe into existence is the God who has promised to be with us until the end of the age. If that is not comfort to any degree, then I'm afraid there is little left to be found.

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." - Corinthians 4:15-18