THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT
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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort”—2 Corinthians 1:3
God is not a God who pushes his people away and punishes
them. He wants us to turn to Him and be
reconciled to Him. “For if when we were
enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His
life” (Romans 5:10). You see God invests Himself in relationship
with us. His grace and comfort in our
lives empowers us to serve others and invest in their lives.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, was anointed to comfort “all that mourn.” The “God of all comfort” sent His Son to be the comforter of a mourning and lost world. And all through His life on earth He fulfilled His divine mission. When His disciples asked Him to call down fire from Heaven to consume people who refused to receive Him, He turned and rebuked them, and said: “You do not know what manner of spirit that you are of.” For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but rather to save them.” He received sinners and ate with them. Always and everywhere He was on the side of sinners. He came to save sinners. When it was time for Him to depart this earth, He told His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, but would send “another Comforter” who would abide with them forever. This Comforter, He said, would teach them all things, and would bring all things to their remembrance.
The Apostle Paul instructs us to “…warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, help the weak, and to be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 my own emphasis added). Love requires us to move toward the person to bring encouragement and wise counsel. We are instructed to “Help the weak.” The world help can be translated: “Hold on to them,” or “Put your arm round them.” We are not to push people away—no we have not so learned of Christ; but rather we come along side of people to give practical guidance and support through the long process of change. Isaiah the prophet said it this way:
“Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough, and now it’s over and done with” (Isaiah 42:1, 2 MSG).
Prayer—Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Comforter to me not just to be a comfort to myself; but also that I may be a comfort to others. Lord I ask You to use me as an instrument of peace and comfort to Your people today, help me not to push people away, but to embrace them and demonstrate Your love, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, was anointed to comfort “all that mourn.” The “God of all comfort” sent His Son to be the comforter of a mourning and lost world. And all through His life on earth He fulfilled His divine mission. When His disciples asked Him to call down fire from Heaven to consume people who refused to receive Him, He turned and rebuked them, and said: “You do not know what manner of spirit that you are of.” For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but rather to save them.” He received sinners and ate with them. Always and everywhere He was on the side of sinners. He came to save sinners. When it was time for Him to depart this earth, He told His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, but would send “another Comforter” who would abide with them forever. This Comforter, He said, would teach them all things, and would bring all things to their remembrance.
The Apostle Paul instructs us to “…warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, help the weak, and to be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 my own emphasis added). Love requires us to move toward the person to bring encouragement and wise counsel. We are instructed to “Help the weak.” The world help can be translated: “Hold on to them,” or “Put your arm round them.” We are not to push people away—no we have not so learned of Christ; but rather we come along side of people to give practical guidance and support through the long process of change. Isaiah the prophet said it this way:
“Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough, and now it’s over and done with” (Isaiah 42:1, 2 MSG).
Prayer—Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Comforter to me not just to be a comfort to myself; but also that I may be a comfort to others. Lord I ask You to use me as an instrument of peace and comfort to Your people today, help me not to push people away, but to embrace them and demonstrate Your love, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
