God Comforts Believers (11)

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another" 

(I Thess. 5: 11 nkjv)

The first nine chapters of this series focused on nine ways wherein God comforts his people. We began with this text from the apostle Paul:

"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." (II Cor. 1: 4 nkjv)

In the tenth chapter we focused on those people who refuse to be comforted, and how we should deal with them. In this concluding chapter we will focus on how Christians are to comfort each other. Even in our opening text in chapter one, cited above, this aspect of our subject was stated. God comforts his people in all their trials in order that they "may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble" and by "the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God." 

If this series has helped you to discern the various ways in which God comforts his people, then you ought to be now able to be a good comforter to others. We, after all, do not want to be "miserable comforters" as were Job's friends. The ability to comfort is both a gift or art, and also a science (something learned). Recall the verse I cited in this series where Isaiah the prophet says that God had given him "the tongue of the learned" all for the purpose that he might "know how to speak a word in season to one who is weary" or needs comfort and encouragement. (Isa. 50: 4) But, we have also seen how being a good comforter, encourager, supported, helper, etc., is something we can learn to do better and better. 

The above picture shows Aaron and Hur upholding the arms of Moses as he held up his staff over the battlefield wherein the Israelites battled their ungodly enemies. When the arms of Moses began to lower after a prolonged period of time, the Israelites began to lose the fight. So, the story goes:

"And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." (Exo. 17: 11-13 nkjv)

Some might wonder what this story has to do with knowing how to comfort fellow believers or even our fellow men. The answer is simple: it is by praying for others that we comfort and hold them up. We also do this by giving good words and right counsel. I think we have an allusion to the above story in this admonition of the apostle Paul: "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (I Tim. 2: 8 nkjv) Of course, it also shows that it was a common practice in Paul's day for believers to lift their hands while praying, just as it is in our day not only in praying but in praise and worship during singing. In lifting our arms and hands in prayer and intercession for others we are actually also lifting up the arms and hearts of those for whom we pray. It is a way we give "support." It is a way we lift them up and help them bear their burdens. Notice these words of Paul:

"Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." (Heb. 12:12-13 nkjv)

These words also remind us of the holding up of the hands and arms of Moses. When believers support their brethren by prayer and giving help and wise counsel they are giving strength to stand to those who are bent over by their heavy loads of care, whose knees are weakened by stress. This is a fascinating metaphor. In acting like Aaron and Hur we help our fellow believers to endure, to keep their hands uplifted and their legs and knees strong, figuratively speaking.

We are also called to help the poor of the Lord's people by giving of our means to them. Yes, we are to "comfort one another with these words." (I Thess. 4: 18 kjv), that is, with the words of the Lord, but that is often not enough. So taught the apostles, saying:

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" (James 2: 15-16 nkjv)

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (I John 3: 16-18 nkjv)

Likewise, we see where John the Baptist emphasized the same truth when "the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” (Luke 3: 10-11 nkjv)

So too taught the Lord Jesus when he said:

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6: 38 nkjv)

Paul says that believers should regularly be comforting or "encouraging one another" (Heb. 10: 25 niv): And "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." (I Thess. 5: 11 niv)