Good News – Comforter

By Vic Dove

Comforter

“Blessed be the God…of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, so 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

 

One of the best ways to describe comfort is…to soothe in distress, to bring consolation or hope.

First, let me say that Comfort is not found in the absence of pain but in the midst of it. Therefore, I believe this is why many Christian folks believe their walk with the Lord is not as it should be …surrounded by intense pain…seemingly endless bad news concerning not only themselves but their families and friends…they just never feel comfortable with their Christian walk nor their lives for that matter.

Feeling comfortable and being comforted are two very different things. The first is a nice feeling but tends to come and go, as feelings do. The second is a fact based on the Comforter, not on circumstances. Our Comforter, God the Father, does not come and go…God tells us in His Word. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.

Those who have experienced hurting or suffering know it gets tiring after a while. A weary saint calls out as Paul did…to remove the thorn. Jesus prayed for the cup to be removed. He was so physically and emotionally weary an angel was sent to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43).

It is a very natural thing for us to mourn and grieve over the loss of a loved one. A wife whose husband has left her feeling alone and abandoned, she should feel the hurt and loneliness, but does that mean she is not a victorious Christian? No. The victory comes when she goes to her empty bed and realizes there is One who will not abandon her. Yes, she hurts, but her soul rests in the One who is able to soothe the pain.

Or maybe a husband who takes fresh flowers to his wife’s grave and weeps uncontrollably when he remembers his wife’s smile the first time he gave her flowers. Are those tears a sign of spiritual immaturity? No. Those tears are a sign of a man who loved his wife dearly. His heart breaks, but his soul rests in the Comforter who promises he will see his wife again.

Sometimes however, we as Christians, in the dark lonely times, hear nothing from heaven. These are the particularly difficult times, especially if the suffering goes on and on…and seems to never end. Believe it or not it is at these times the Comforter is most precious… the Shepherd in the valley…the Father to His Child…the Rock of Ages…the Shelter in the storm.

True Comfort and Peace are not found in the absence of pain… but in the presence of Jesus. He is our Lord…our Sustainer…our Redeemer…He is our Comforter.

“My prayer for you today is that you will feel the loving arms of God wrapped around you.” Billy Graham.

Shoulder to Shoulder

Bro. Vic