Comfort for the Downcast

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear 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 with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
2 Co 7:5–9
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Comfort for the Downcast
The enemies of God really do attack continuously. They use the Law to remind us and show us our sin. They cast doubt with lies and lure us into trouble by the pleasures of this world. Our situation is grave. We are downcast. But our God comforts us in our state. He visits us where we are and fights for us in our need. He comforts with the preaching of the Word. He comforts with the gift of a pastor in your midst. He feeds you his body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar. We rejoice as God's people that Jesus Christ has rescued us and made us alive. He has brought us to the heights of heaven and we rejoice even though we cry. We celebrate even as we fight. We know that the victory has been won for us in his cross.