But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 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. (2 Corinthians 7:6-7) 

Just before these words, Paul summarizes the depths of his struggles, "fighting without and fear within" (7:5). Conflict on the outside, worry on the inside, and no rest in between. In every area where there could be trouble and difficulty there was, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Then: "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus." God comforted him by the arrival of a friend! Paul doesn't separate this comfort into two distinct parts, from God and then from Titus. The arrival of Titus was the comfort of God. But then that comfort becomes even deeper, Titus showed up in person, but he also carried the love of a whole church from around 350 miles away. Comfort up close, and comfort from a distance.

There is a lesson in this: don’t overlook the comfort that God has provided, maybe through the person visiting at our door, or a word sent ahead from someone too far to visit. God sends comfort in all different forms! God sends Elijah an angel to the broom tree, but he also sends the friend with a casserole, and the text from three states away.

How have you been encouraged? How can you encourage and comfort those you know?