God of all comfort – 4 sources of comfort in times of trouble…
THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT
God is the God of all comfort! Are you facing a difficult situation? Do you feel discouraged, sad, or hopeless? Whatever trials or sorrows life may bring, I have good news, God will bring you comfort. He is the God of all comfort!
Help in Time of Trouble
This is exactly what the apostle Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 1:3-4; “ 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.”
I want you to know God is the Father of hope, love, and mercy. He is the God of all comfort. He will comfort you in the middle of any tribulation or trouble you may experience. The question is how does He bring us comfort in our time of need?
4 Sources of God’s Comfort
There are 4 main sources or ways God administers comfort;
First there is the comfort we receive from our Lord and Savior.
1 John 2:1 tells us Jesus is our “ADVOCATE”. “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The word “ADVOCATE” is translated from the Greek word paraclete. This same Greek word is translated as – COMFORTER.
When Jesus was on earth, He was the Comforter to His disciples. The death of Jesus did not bring to an end His ministry as comforter. He arose from death and the grave, and He ascended to heaven, where He is now at the Father’s right hand on our behalf. He is our great High Priest and He ministers in our behalf right now. At this very moment He is praying for us. When we suffer or face difficulty, He understands. In the midst of our trials we can take comfort in this great truth that Jesus is with us and helping us. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Second, there is the comfort we receive from the Holy Spirit.
Before our Lord died on the cross, He said to His disciples, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth.. . I will not leave you comfortless.” John 14:16-18
Jesus promised His disciples that after His departure He would send the Holy Spirit to carry on the ministry of comfort. The Holy Spirit now lives on the inside of every believer. (1Corinthians 3:16) The Spirit comforts us with His presence, with the truth, by helping lead and direct us.
The Holy Spirit is a strong comforter in the midst of our afflictions and problems. He is with us providing hope, strength, restoration, and love all bringing us great comfort.
Third, there is the comfort we receive from the Scriptures.
The apostle Paul wrote, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4).
God’s word has the power to give us life in the midst of any circumstance. Life that is filled with hope, joy, praise and strength. (Proverbs 3:1-5)
The Bible is filled with God’s promises. Promises that bring comfort, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is the Word of God that brings faith. (Romans 10:17) Faith that pleases God, the provider of comfort in times of trouble. (Hebrews 11:6)
Fourth, there is the comfort we receive from others.
Oftentimes, the Lord consoles us by bringing someone into our lives just at the right time. It may be another believer who has experienced the same or similar problem to what we are facing. Other times it may be someone who brings us good news or a good report that lifts us up. God uses people to be an encouragement and blessing in our life to help bring us comfort.
Knowing Jesus – the foundation of comfort
Maybe our greatest comfort is simply knowing we have a personal relationship with Jesus. We can speak at any time directly with our heavenly Father about anything that we are facing or concerned about.
Regardless of the source of God’s comfort you can know and be confident that He will bring you comfort through His mercy and grace. God is the God of all comfort.
