Be Ye Comforted
“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.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–4Many of us need comfort these days. God wants to comfort us, and then He wants us to be a comfort to others. All of us will go through some kind of suffering or trial in our lives, but we don’t always realize that trials produce godly character that will make us better able to help others.When we are going through a hard time, it is very important to remember that God is with us. The God of the Bible is compassionate. He comforts us when we go through trials, but His impact doesn’t stop there. Through our trials we gain a testimony and a vocabulary to empathize with others who are experiencing hard times. We may think that our situation makes us unable to minister—whether it involves a wayward child or a financial setback. However, no matter the nature of our trial, the scripture above tells us that the very weight around our neck can become the launching pad for our ministry to others. Extending the comfort of God to others is one way we can spread God’s love.
Where others see failure and struggle, God sees qualification to be used mightily.
No wonder the Apostle Paul praised God in the midst of his many trials. Somehow Paul saw that these light afflictions help us to receive His grace: And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9Lately, I have been thinking about and drawing on the comfort that God gave Myles and me when we were in a tight financial spot. At the time, we both worked days and weekends to make ends meet. Relief eventually arrived, but not without a struggle. For us, the key is continual belief that God is good and that He has a good plan for our lives. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11Isaiah 40:1–2 begins: “Comfort, ye, comfort ye my people.” God cares that we comfort each other, and specifically that we comfort Israel. Isaiah 51:2–3 instructs us to look to Abraham and Sarah as examples, and assures us that God will comfort Zion. Abraham and Sarah went through many trials, but God gave them comfort even though they were severely tested. Our prayer is that God will comfort you and comfort Israel; that He will make your life—and Israel—like the Garden of Eden.