Nevertheless, God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
2 Corinthians 7:6
When Paul was going through the wringer internally, externally, emotionally, and physically, how did God comfort him? Through Titus. This amazes me. You see, Titus was one of Paul’s students, one of his disciples. After sending him to Corinth with his first letter, Paul says it was when Titus returned that he was built back up.
I’m afraid my reaction would have been, ‘Oh, it’s just Titus. Lord, why didn’t You send me someone famous or deep? Billy Graham perhaps. But Titus? He’s just one of my boys. How can he help me?’
I think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He sweat great drops of blood while He prayed with intensity, an angel came and strengthened Him (Luke 22:43). Jesus could have said, ‘I’m way above the angels.’ Instead, He received the ministry of the angel.
So too, Paul received encouragement from Titus because he recognized an important principle: often the Lord comes to us in the unexpected person at an unexpected time in an unexpected way ...
‘We know Him,’ they said. ‘He’s the carpenter’s son,’ (Mark 6:3) — not realizing He was the Son of God.
Mary wept at the tomb, mistaking the Lord for a gardener (John 20:15).
On the road to Emmaus, they thought He was a stranger (Luke 24:18).
On the Sea of Galilee, they thought He was a ghost (Matthew 14:26).
Don’t miss your Titus, gang. It might be your son or daughter. It might be a neighbor or co-worker. It might be someone you would never think had much to offer, but they’ll come to you with words of encouragement — if you’re wise enough to listen. Many people miss out, waiting for a pastor or a prophet, an author or a musician because they fail to recognize the Lord in the person sitting right next to them.
