COMFORT

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 – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Our Inheritance in Christ includes the Promise of God’s Unfathomable COMFORT even in the most uncomfortable times and seasons of life. We live in a naturally comfortless world, full of troubles and tribulations: “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job.14:1; Jh.16:33). Praise God, we have the Good Shepherd – our Lord Jesus Christ – and our divine Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit (Jh.14:26). The Greek word for "comfort" is parakaleo, which means “to call alongside of.” The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete. He is called to our side. When the Lord Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, He said, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (Jh. 14:18). Using the  word orphanos, He said to His own men, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (Jh.16:7).

The Comforter is not someone who simply kisses a bruise. He is the helper, strengthener, and advocate. He is called to help me and to strengthen me, to relieve loneliness, and calm fears. He imparts help in time of terrifying trouble: “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; LORD, be my helper!” (Ps. 30:10). That is the cry of the soul that needs the Comforter – the God of all comfort. What a wonder it is to have a God who can comfort us in all our troubles. It is one thing to have comfort when the sky is bright and the sun is shining. But what would be really striking is comfort in the time of trouble. It is then we can comfort others (2Cor.1:4). Paul experienced that kind of comfort in his time of trouble. We need the assurance of God’s Presence in all the circumstances of life -- in the area of our greatest need and desperate hours of life.

The Father of mercies is also the God of all comfort: His comfort is for all places and all times. Comfort is best tested in the crucible of life, with suffering as the acid test. His is the authentic comfort, because there are counterfeit and fake ones. There is a popular notion that comfort is some sort of saccharine sweet sentimentality with a note of weakness; the lovely sentiment of human sympathy; saying “It is well” just to find something to say. People turn to all sorts of things, for comfort: alcohol, liquor, entertainment, and drugs. But there is no comfort in any of these. Real comfort is based on truth spoken in love. Real comfort is honest with God. It tells Him exactly how it feels. It tells Him how you don't like what is happening to you. He knows all about it anyway. He wants you to not complain, but to talk frankly with Him. Real Comfort is genuine!

Christianity is just a theory to many people; like a mere profession or a garment to be put on for special occasions. To such, it is a stagnant ritual and an empty vocabulary, but not to the likes of Apostle Paul (2Cor. 1:5-6). Paul went on to talk a great deal about the trouble he had and was still having and of God’s comfort through it all (vv.7-10). Indeed, God will not allow the wind of adversity to take us away from Him. When the wind begins to blow, when it gets rough and tough, we can turn to our Father who comforts us. We can then say: “My Lord and Shepherd, I declare that I shall not want for Comfort; because Your rod and staff comfort me”! He, who comforts us in all troubles, turns us into Channels of His comfort to other people!