"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ." (II Cor. 1: 3-5 nkjv)
It is a marvelous thing to have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit as our Comforter. The above texts focus on God the Father, though not exclusively, for when the text says that Christians "are comforted by God" the three persons of the Godhead are included. After all, both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are called "Comforters." So Jesus said:
"16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you...26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 16-18, 26 kjv)
Both Christ and the Spirit are comforters. Both the Father and Son send the Spirit who is a Comforter and so the Father and Son comfort through the Spirit.
The English word "comfort" carries the idea of strengthening, or fortifying. The root of the word is "fort" as in the word "fortitude." It originated from the Latin confortare ("to strengthen greatly"), derived from com (together) and fortis (strong). It involves providing, or being a source of strength, hope, or resilience to a person experiencing difficult times. It is the mind, soul (psyche), spirit, feelings, emotional state, that is comforted, although indirectly the body is strengthened, for the health of the former often determines the health of the body.
In my recent meditations I have pondered just how God has comforted me, and in doing so I was led to consider what the Bible says. God has never spoken directly to me with an audible voice as he has done to prophets, though I often pray for it and covet it, as Paul directed us all to do, saying "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." (I Cor. 14: 1 nkjv) God has comforted me in other ways that are common to all the Lord's children.
Ways God Comforts People
God comforts his people through
1) the holy scriptures,
2) people who he sends to the ones needing comfort,
3) working on the internal feelings of those needing comfort,
4) giving the downcast an inner sense of God's loving presence through his Spirit bearing witness with their spirits, often whispering peace in his "still small voice" (I Kings 19: 12),
5) through the Spirit bringing to people's minds and memories the words of scripture or of their past experiences with God,
6) making ways of escape from the thing causing depression, sadness, mental anguish, etc.,
7) inspiring hope on a deep level within the soul especially through prayer and meditation,
8) giving inner peace or calming the mind when agitated by troubles in ways inexplicable,
9) giving inner strength to endure the mental suffering.
There may be other ways too, but these are what I think of at the present time. If our readers think of others, please leave us a comment and tell us.
Let us now focus on each of these ways, beginning with how God comforts his people through the scriptures.
Comfort Of The Scriptures
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15: 4 nkjv)
It is foolish for professing Christians to want more divine comforting while failing to read and become knowledgeable in the scriptures. How can God comfort you out of the scriptures if you know nothing of the scriptures? More comfort or inner strength is found in knowing more and believing more in scripture, especially the promises of salvation therein, of which comfort is a part. Paul says, in the above text, that three things are obtained freely from the scriptures, which are "learning," "patience" (or perseverance or endurance), and "comfort." Think of the lines in that precious hymn "Where Could I Go But To The Lord":
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation sore
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own word
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord
Comfort From God Sent Comforters
The text in the image above that has Paul saying "God who comforts the downcast" goes on to say that God comforted him "by the coming of Titus," a young minister who was a great source of joy to the aged apostle. But, the apostle says that it was "not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more." Titus brought Paul good news that cheered him up for even the great apostle was not without feelings of sadness, nor was the Lord Jesus, "for in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." (Eccl. 1: 18 nkjv) Giving good news, as Titus did, is one way God comforts. He often does this by sending one or more of his servants to speak to a suffering saint to give words of hope and good news. "As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country." (Prov. 22: 25 nkjv) Good news helps people to deal with the bad news. Said the wise king Solomon: "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad." Prov. 12: 25 nkjv)
Comforting others is a calling for Christians who know what it means to be comforted by God and the way in which God comforts them. Paul even said this, saying that God comforts us and we therefore ought to know how to comfort others. God comforts by giving good news and comforting words and thoughts. When Christians are sad because the outlook seems bad, they should be exhorted to look up for the up-look is much better. Here are some examples of how Paul comforted the suffering persecuted Christians who were facing "great trials of affliction" (II Cor. 8: 2):
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8: 28 nkjv)
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (II Cor. 4: 17 nkjv)
"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23: 10 kjv)
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes." (Psa. 119: 71 kjv)
"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning." (Psa. 30: 5 nkjv)
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (I Peter 5: 10 esv)
This is how God comforts his people and it is the way that we should comfort them also. We should give them these words of wisdom and insight. Job said that his friends turned out to be "miserable comforters." (Job 16: 2) As friends we should "strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees." (Heb. 12: 12 nkjv) Christians who have been comforted by God have learned thereby to comfort others. Said the prophet Isaiah:
“The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned." (Isa. 50: 4 nkjv)
Rejoice my fellow Christians that we have a God who comforts the cast down, who strengthens us so that we can endure sorrows and trials. In the next article we will look at the other ways God comforts his people.
No comments:
Post a Comment