2 Corinthians 1:4 - Why does God comfort us when afflicted? Well, the obvious (and true!) answer is that he loves us. I'd say that's the primary reason, however, Paul here says he does so that we would be enabled to comfort others who are in any affliction. God's comfort is to extend beyond us to others who may not yet know the comfort of God.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 - One way that we comfort others in affliction is by demonstrating our faith and endurance during our own afflictions. Paul says he did not want them to be ignorant of his afflictions, so that they might see his faith, and through it, God's faithfulness.

It's tempting to assume from this that God gives us afflictions that he could give us comfort and that we in turn might be prepared to comfort others. I'm not prepared to make that leap, although I do believe that as we mature, God will allow us more and greater afflictions to refine and strengthen our faith. Then, being strengthened, we can help others through that same journey. Where is the line between God's direct causation and things that are just a function of the world he created? I don't know, and I refuse to speculate.

Been a loooong time since I did one of these. An "Occassional Series" here at Salguod.net. Inspired by Daniel at Alien Soil, I fire up Media Player on random and post the first 5 songs here.

Want to listen? Head over to my blip.fm profile and look for the songs tagged #five4friday.

1. The Cranberries - Not Sorry from Everyone Else is Doing it, So Why Can't We?
   Nice song that really highlights Dolores O'Riordan's voice.
2. Rush - Show Don't Tell from Presto
   A neat track with syncopation in the intro that made me think at first it was one of those Rush tracks with alternating time signatures. Listening more carefully, though, I think it's all in 4.
3. Casting Crowns - Joyful, Joyful from until the Whole World Hears
   Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee is one of the best hymns of all time. I'm not sure Casting Crowns improves on it by adding a drum beat and their own chorus & bridge. Not bad, but give me a good acapella choir over this any day.
4. Damn Yankees - Mystified from Damn Yankees
   Once again, Media player gives us a nice contrast. Hymn to a mildly suggestive hard rock love song.
5. Wilson Phillips - You're in Love from Wilson Phillips
   And now for something completely different. I guess this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, as I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I own this. I'd love to say it was my wife's, but no such luck. I guess I'm a sucker for good female harmonies. Not my favorite song for sure, but light, fluffy and pretty. .

Your turn, fire up your MP3 player, put it on random and give me yours in the comments.