In a world that is constantly changing, we can long for a sense of familiarity. It doesn’t take long before the weights of this world can heap discouragement upon us if we let it. The desire for comfort in affliction throughout our world is real, and it was created to be met by only One. Thankfully, our God hasn’t left us alone but has given us countless promises in His Word to cling to – one of which is His comfort. As 2 Corinthians 1:3 says, God is the God of all comfort. He is the Author of it, and He’s promised us access to this comfort in His Word.
2 Corinthians 1 goes on to say, “[God] comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Not only does God offer us His comfort, but once we’ve received it, He enables us to then share this comfort with those around us in the body of Christ. Because all the encouragement we need is rooted in Him, we can then choose to bring that same comfort we were given to others who are experiencing similar trials as we.
The Promise of The Comforter
John 14:16-18 says, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate comforter who resides in us and enables us to live fully for Christ as a result. Before His arrival, believers would have to visit the temple to be in the presence of the Lord. Now, we have the all-comforting presence of God within us, and His Spirit working through us wherever we go. Because of the Lord’s gift of the Holy Spirit to us, we can know that He is never far off.
Not only that, but we can confidently approach Him in our time of need, trusting that He will sustain us. Although others may struggle to give us just the encouragement we need for a certain situation, the Lord’s words of comfort to us are flawless. Although we may hesitate to share our struggles to not feel like a burden to someone, there is no affliction that is too heavy for the Lord to carry or provide comfort and strength for. As Jeremiah 32:17 reminds us, nothing is too difficult for our Lord.
The Comfort of God’s Word
Psalm 119:50 says, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” If the Author of the Bible is the source of all comfort, then His Word stands as a means by which we can receive comfort as well.
Romans 15:4 – “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” All scripture is here for our correction and for our comfort. In reading God’s Word, we gain strength for the journey ahead, seeing His endless promises unfold in the lives of those gone before us. We gain a better understanding of who God is, and cling to His perfect words which never fail. God’s Word isn’t lacking in any area. It provides just the comfort we need for any circumstance we are in, whether its persecution (2 Cor. 1:5), mourning a loss (Matt. 5:4), the weights of this world (1 Peter 5:7), or something completely different.
Comfort for Eternity
Even beyond the promises of God’s various ways of comforting us in our temporary affliction, we can hold on to the promise of comfort and rest in eternal life. Soon every tear will be wiped away from our eyes and He will never leave us without comfort. Revelation 21:4 tells us that there will no longer be any death; mourning, crying, or pain. Christ will restore the condition of the world to perfection and His people will reside with Him in His presence for all eternity.
Rejoice! For you have a reason to comfort.
Written by NBB Alumna: Ruth Derby
