GOD’S WORDS OF COMFORT

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and GOD of ALL COMFORT” – 2 Corinthians 1:3

True Believers in Christ never lack GOD’S WORDS of 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” (2Cor.1:3-4). What a beautiful description of our heavenly Father. And what a Mystery – that Paul, who experienced loneliness, persecution, abandonment, and bouts of depression, could describe the Lord as “the God of all comfort”! “All comfort” means “comfort on all sides”: “You will increase my greatness, and COMFORT ME on every side” (Psa.71:21).

Divine Comfort is part of our Kingdom Inheritance and Covenant Blessings in Christ that we access through God’s Words: “Remember THE WORD to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is MY COMFORT in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (Psa.119:49-50). The Word of God gives us Hope and becomes our Comfort in any and every affliction, trial or tribulation. God comforts us with His Word, as He reminds us of who we are in Christ, our inheritance and the special place we occupy in Him, our abilities in Christ and the glorious victories He has won for us in the past and shall yet win. No matter the challenges we may be facing or the floods we may be wading through, we’ll never lose hope, because God’s Words supply His supernatural Comfort, assuring us that His promises will never falter or fail.

God, by His Words, comforts us in all our troubles or tribulations, using these to equip and empower us to become Ambassadors of Comfort to others who are in any trouble, “with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (v.4). In life there are sometimes deep valleys and dark nights of the soul which no other can really understand who has never walked through them personally. The Psalmist went through such a valley, but came out triumphant, testifying to God’s rod and staff of comfort: “Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they COMFORT me” (Psa.23:4).

When people of faith are faced with really unsettling circumstances, the Bible remains the most unfailing fountain of comfort and source of solace. Many biblical Words of Comfort remind us about God’s compassion and steadfast love freely showered on all who call upon Him. Here are few additional Words of Comfort to meditate on:

“Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has COMFORTED His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted” (Isa.49:13). There is no hurt or pain beyond the reach and comfort of our merciful God.

“COMFORT, yes, COMFORT My people!” says your God. “Speak COMFORT to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned…” (Isa.40:1-2a)

“For the LORD will COMFORT ZION, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the  LORD;  joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody” (Isa.51:3).

“I, even I, am He who COMFORTS you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass?” (Isa.51:12). God’s Words of comfort drive out all forms of fear!

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I WILL COMFORT YOU; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isa.66:13). This is Jehovah assuring us that His love will tenderly nourish and nurture us as a mother nurtures a child.

Whatever the challenges we may encounter in life, in Christ, God's comfort abounds! He comforts us not only to make us comfortable, but to transform us into Comforters of many others, in partnership with the Holy Spirit – our Eternal Comforter!