So often we associate words with the wrong meaning. This holds true with the topic of comfort. When I think of comfort my mind begins to play a tape of leisure, ease and abundance. However, when God speaks of comfort, what does He mean? After all, God’s definition of comfort is the true one.
In Psalm 119 we read that God’s Word was the psalmist’s comfort in his affliction, and he searched the Word of God asking for comfort. The Bible is spiritual medicine as well as spiritual food. God has designed a ‘comforting mechanism’ within His Word for those who have ears to hear what He is really saying!
If you are afflicted or distressed, God desires to speak comfort to you today. Jesus wants to say to you, “Be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole.” It isn’t the absence of problems, but a knowledge of the presence of God that comforts our souls. God Himself promises, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you”. The Scriptures were written to give comfort. The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, and our heavenly Father is the “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.”
Do you see the reason Paul gives for God’s comforting? It’s not to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters like God is! More than once Paul exhorted the saints to comfort one another.
It is interesting that the Greek word for ‘comfort’ means, ‘to call near, invite’. Therefore, as we draw near to Jesus through prayer, meditating on His Word, and fellowship with one another, He draws near to us, giving us comfort. Yes, the comfort of God is a heavenly gift bestowed upon all those who believe in Jesus Christ.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”
