God Comforts Believers (9)

In this chapter we will give our ninth way in which God comforts his children, which is by his "giving inner strength to endure the mental suffering." We have already intimated at this way in the preceding chapter when we focused on how God comforts by giving inner peace in ways inexplicable and by mentioning the words from Paul's prayer for the Christians that they might be "strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." (Eph. 3: 16 nkjv)

Comfort by Giving Inner Strength

The above text also speaks of this inner strength and comfort and is a favorite verse of Christians, and one that they often memorize when they first become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. When in great trials they say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This strengthening is in the "inner man," that is, in the heart, soul, mind, and spirit, though in healing the body, or outer man, he also gives strength. Without this strength the soul would soon perish and be overcome by trial and grief. In giving strength God gives increased faith, and by this strengthened faith the Lord's people have -- 

"subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens," and even made it possible for "women (to have) received their dead raised to life again," and to endure being "tortured, without accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection, and to endure "trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment," and to endure being "stoned, sawn in two, tempted, slain with the sword," and to endure homelessness and "being destitute, afflicted, tormented," while "they wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." (Heb. 11: 33-38 nkjv)

Solomon said: "If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small." (Prov. 24: 10 nkjv) So, to prevent fainting in that day the Christian needs inner strength and greater faith. As a prescription for this Paul wrote: "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb. 12: 3 kjv) If Christ is your strength, then your strength is not small. Christians are to look to the Lord for comfort and strength because he has promised to give it, as the prophet Isaiah said:

"He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40: 29-31 nkjv)

Said Nehemiah to the returning exiles "the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Neh. 8: 10) So, it is a good prevention to "rejoice in the Lord always." (Phil. 4: 4) One way to do this is to daily count your blessings as the song says:

1 When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. 

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

On two occasions the apostle Paul exhorted Christians to "be not weary in well doing." (Gal. 6: 9; II Thess. 3: 13) He gives as the reason for being encouraged and strengthened when wearied and that is in the fact that they shall "reap" in due time. The same apostle in exhorting the Christians told them to "comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." (I Thess. 5: 14 kjv) In doing this they are imitating their heavenly Father for he "comforts the feebleminded" and "supports the weak" among his people. Job, in the midst of his great sufferings, was comforted by the assurance that Lord God would "put his strength in me." (Job 23: 6) This inner strength moved Job to say: "though he slay me yet will I trust him." (Job 13: 15)

The Christian ought never to lose hope, for his hope is in the Lord. This is because "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psa. 34: 18 nkjv)

God is the mental "refuge" for his people. So said the Psalmist: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble, therefore we will not fear." (Psa. 46: 1-2) 

So, dear Christian, remember these words:

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (II Thess. 2: 16)