GOD’S GOOD AND COMFORTING WORDS

“And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with GOOD and COMFORTING WORDS” – Zechariah 1:13 

Every believer is entitled to GOD’S GOOD and COMFORTING WORDS: “And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with GOOD and COMFORTING WORDS” (Jh.17:17). The New American Standard Version says, “The Lord answered the angel who was speaking with me with GRACIOUS WORDS, COMFORTING WORDS.” The character of God’s communication was clear – encouraging, good, gracious, comforting, and uplifting – promise of full restoration (vv.16-17).

Here, Zechariah encountered the Angel of the Lord – a manifestation of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, who was in charge of the horses and riders that patrolled the earth (vv.8-11). The riders came back and reported to Jesus Christ that the whole world was at peace. Instead of being excited about this however, the angel of the Lord grieved the desperate plight of God’s people – the fact that Jerusalem and its surrounding cities laid desolate while the gentile nations were at rest and living in ease. So, he asked the Lord of Hosts how long it will be this way. How long will God’s people be laid waste while their enemies are living the good life? That was the setting for the release of the good and comforting words (vv.12-17).

GOOD WORDS refer to suitable and seasonable words; the kind of speech that gladdens the heart: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a GOOD WORD makes it glad” (Pro.12:25). This reminds of God’s promise through Jeremiah: “after seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and PERFORM MY GOOD WORD toward you, and cause you to return to this place” (Jer. 29:10). Joshua also declared: “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the GOOD THINGS which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed” (Jos.23:14).

COMFORTING or Comfortable words literally mean “consolations” as used in Isaiah 40:1 and Isaiah 57:18, “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” says your God…I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, and RESTORE COMFORTS to him and to his mourners.” Comfortable words are meant to be spoken to someone who is mourning, in order to feel better. Rather than kicking a man while he’s down, such words will provide a helping hand to that person who is down. These words of comfort were intended to cheer the drooping spirit of the prophet and the community of God’s people.

Beloved, God still speaks good and comforting words today – except He is pronouncing Judgement on the wicked! Even so, He’ll still leave the margin of Mercy! God speaks goodness, grace and comfort to His humble and contrite people: “I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for HE WILL SPEAK PEACE to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly” (Psa.85:8). If we’re not hearing His encouraging and comforting words, we’ll need to examine our ways. We cannot hear such words from the Lord by looking at our circumstances. If we are feeling down and depressed, it’s likely that we’re not taking advantage of the awesome privilege of having God’s words in our hands or on our book shelves. Or maybe we’re reading the word but not believing what God has said. God is absolutely trustworthy.

So, let’s pick up God’s Written Word, and begin to read, hear, and believe Him. That’s where the comfort comes in the Believer’s life. Please join me in this Declaration of God’s Goodness and Mercy: God is zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. He has returned to us with Mercy. His house shall be built in our hearts and lives and His cities shall spread out through prosperity, and the Lord will continually comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem, in Jesus name (vv.14-17).