In the previous chapter I introduced the subject of how God comforts his people. He is indeed "the God of all comfort." People go to all kinds of people and places to find comfort but will not go to God for it. To obtain God's comfort requires that a person believe God and put his or her trust in him. Doing so makes one a child of God, for we are, as Paul said, "children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3: 26 kjv) This relationship brings fatherly comfort and compassion, as the Psalmist said: "As a father shows compassion (pity kjv) to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him." (Psa. 103: 13 esv) In the first chapter I gave nine ways whereby God comforts his people when they are cast down, discouraged, depressed, full of anxiety and care, and sad and sorrowful.
We focused on the first two ways, showing first how God comforts his people by his word, by giving them good news or a good word, by assuring them that their sufferings will work together for their good, and by calling their attention to the many "great and precious promises" (II Peter 1: 4) he has given to them, and by reminding them of past blessings and deliverances. We next focused on how God comforts his people by sending people to comfort them, who bring a good word, or who "weep with them who weep" (Rom. 12: 5), and who encourage the downcast. Such messengers are often a means our heavenly Father uses to lift the spirits of the depressed.
Now we will focus on some of the other ways that God comforts his people. But, before we do that, I want to remind the reader that the word "comfort" means to strengthen. It has a different meaning from the word "consolation," as in the text we previously cited where Paul spoke of the comfort that comes from God and the "consolation" of Christ. (II Cor. 1: 3-5) On one occasion Paul uses the Greek word parēgoria (παρηγορία), which evolved into the medicinal term "paregoric." (Col. 4:11) It is where we get our medicinal word "paragoric," a drug used to relieve an upset stomach. It is used by Paul to describe his fellow workers as a "comfort" or "solace" (parēgoria) to him, literally meaning a soothing, encouraging, or consoling influence, saying: "and these only are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort (παρηγορία) to me."
Comfort by Divine Work in the Soul
God comforts through his word and through heaven sent messengers. But, we must not exclude what God does through what we might call supernatural influences of the Spirit. In the early 19th century there was a good deal of debate over what was called "spiritual influences," the debate concerned whether God influences the heart, mind, or feelings apart from the word of God or apart from what was called "moral suasion" or persuasion. Many accused Alexander Campbell of denying such spiritual influences, although Campbell said that he did not deny them. (See my post on this here) One of the texts used to show the fact and need of such spiritual influence is this:
"Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." (Luke 24: 44-45 nkjv)
This opening of the understanding is what the Lord did apart from the Scriptures, being the very spiritual influence I am talking about. God comforts his people by such spiritual influences. He does this by mystical operations upon their hearts, minds, souls, spirits, and emotions. We likewise read where the Lord "opened Lydia's heart to heed the things spoken by Paul." (Acts 16: 14) This opening of her heart was done by a spiritual influence upon the heart apart from the word.
We also see such spiritual influence alluded to when the apostle Paul wrote the following: "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Rom. 8: 16 nkjv) This witness of the Spirit with our spirits is done in a manner inexplicable, and yet all the Lord's people know about it. This inner testimony of the Spirit is often felt when in prayer or meditation, or when engaged in praise and worship, or when hearing the word preached or taught. It is alluded to in these words of the Lord to Isaiah:
"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left." (Isa. 30: 21 nkjv)
This is certainly true when it comes to hearing what our consciences say to us. God's people have heard this voice of the Lord whispered in their ears, warning them of danger, or approving or disapproving of what they do. So the Christian song "He Whispers Sweet Peace To Me" testifies to.
God's people can often feel or sense God's presence with them. Again, this is psychologically inexplicable. How God operates on the mind and emotions is mystical. This is certainly true with how he gives comfort, consolation, and peace of mind, which often are "beyond understanding."
It is a kind of spiritual intuition or a kind of "discernment of spirit" (I Cor. 12: 10), an example of which is seen when Peter addressed Simon the sorcerer, who had professed faith in Christ, and said to him "For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." (Acts 8: 23) This is a case of spiritual perception where believers have the ability to discern and understand spiritual truths and realities that are not accessible through natural senses or human reasoning alone. It involves having heightened awareness and insight into the spiritual realm, often granted by the Holy Spirit to believers. It is like sensing that someone is behind you, or sensing that someone is watching you. Paul spoke of "spiritually discerning" the scriptures. (I Cor. 2: 14) It is like sensing spiritual presences, such as demons, ghosts, or angels.
It is on this level that God also comforts and consoles his people. He makes them sense his presence, feel his love and care at the core of their being. This is one of the ways that God lifts up the depressed spirits of his people. Paul spoke of believers, by practice, being able to "sense" what is good and evil. (Heb. 5: 14) In the same way that God's Spirit bears witness to our spirits that we are the children of God, so does he comfort our spirits by spiritual influence.
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