Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.”

One can immediately see how this flower got its name!  The larger petals resemble a heart and the bottom of it even looks like blood dripping down!  These perennial flowers have been growing wild for centuries in Asia.  But it has only been since the 1800’s that the Bleeding Heart has been cultivated in the Western world.  It is not only used as a symbol for love but also for the compassion we are to feel for those that suffer.

Today’s verse describes our God as one of comfort and a Father of compassion.  He knows and feels with us our sadness and pain.  His heart bleeds for the brokenness of our world.  But He did not stop there.  He did something about it by paying for the sin that allowed this brokenness to enter our lives.  He knows when our souls are “downcast within us” even when no one else is aware.  His comfort is a balm to the sorrow that our suffering brings.

He sees when I am overwhelmed with fear and worry.  He cares when I am feeling too sad to get up from bed   Better than physical comfort, He gives me the amazing comfort of His love and goodness.  He knows better than anyone else how to lift my head and my spirits.  He brings to mind a song lyric.  He uses a long-forgotten verse.   And so often, He gives comfort through the encouragement of other believers.  His heart bleeds for me and He asks me to have that same heart for the suffering of others.

Thank you Lord, for Your precious comfort and help me share it with others.