'the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us'
2 Corinthians 1:4-6
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But as we continue reading this verse the Apostle Paul writes, 'that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God'.
This loving comfort from God has a dual purpose. It not only comforts us but it is so that we may be able to comfort others in the same way.
It seems to stand out to me as an example of fulfilling Jesus' command to his disciples, 'That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another' (John 13:34).
Have we known God's comfort? Then let us likewise comfort others.
Have we known God's mercy? Then let us likewise be merciful to others.
Have we known God's love? God's forgiveness? God's wisdom? God's counsel? God's strength? Then let us likewise love, forgive, wisely counsel and support others.
As we continue reading this passage, Paul opens it up a little further - not only are we to comfort others like we have been comforted, with what we have known of God's comfort - but he actually goes as far as to say that this is one of the purposes of troubles.
We tend to think of troubles being sent or used by God to mould us in his image, to make us more like him, to fit us for heaven, but it is also so we can be a support to other members of His spiritual church.
Like the analogy of a stone which is often used to describe a Christian - a stone being hewn from the ground, being chipped at and moulded with a chisel, being prepared and made suitable to go into a building - Christ's church - and then when in the building, it not only looks right, but it performs a role in that building structure. It is being useful. It is playing a needed part. What we are taught by God we are to use to bless others.
Well, may I encourage you with a little comfort of what God has given me this morning:
Are you feeling distant from God today? Do you feel as if the beloved presence of the Lord has gone? Are you puzzled, you don't know why? You know you are a sinner and your sins grieve the Holy Spirit, but why are you feeling so alone - now?
Yesterday I received a copy of a sermon in which the late Mr BA Ramsbottom recounts the story of a minister who spoke from the words, 'As thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone' (referring to a man who was meant to be guarding another man) (1 Kings 20:40). He mentions how we may be busy with our daily jobs and before we realise it the presence of the Lord has gone.
Is it like that with you today?
It was with me this morning. I was conscious that I had lost the feeling of the Lord's presence a few days ago. We know it is only the feeling we have lost at these times - He has promised He will never leave His people - but that doesn't satisfy does it? Receiving letters from a loved one reassuring us of their love is not enough is it? We want to be in their presence and feel their arms of love around us.
Praying that I would receive a word from the Lord and a return of His presence, with that warmth and softening of heart at the week night worship service, I was disappointed that despite the encouraging sermon it was all I could do to keep my eyes open - one of those occasions when you feel you need literal matchsticks!
But this morning whilst praying I thought of some counsel I once heard: when we have lost the sense of the Lord's presence go back in our thoughts to when we last knew it, and then think of what happened afterwards.
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Does it bring to mind an occasion or words spoken that you know you have sinned in? Does it give you something to confess?
As I thought back I realised how I had reacted to something, the words I had said and the sense that I was displeasing the Lord.
Dear reader, when we examine ourselves and confess our sins, our kind, loving, merciful gracious God will return to us. He does still love us, He won't keep his presence from us for longer than is needed.
As I confessed my sin I felt the sense of His presence again, and then when I re-read the passage of our sermon last night, He has used it to speak to me, to encourage you today.
If you too have lost the sense of God's presence - or have never yet known it - may you be comforted by the reminder that God is greater than all our troubles, by the knowledge that He knows all things, by remembering the promise that He can do more than we can ask or think, by remembering that His mercy forgives us over and over again, by trusting that nothing can separate His people from His love, and by believing that the sins of those Jesus died for are blotted out for ever and ever.
Sometimes when we go to our friends or family for comfort they do not always give it - they may be wrapped up in their own problems, or not in the mood for listening - or if they do comfort you still feel their powerlessness to change your situation.
God's comfort has a depth which transcends anything a fellow human can give you.
Do we give comforting hugs? God's arms are underneath us - we can never fall through them.
Do we speak reassuring words? God says, 'Fear not, I will help thee' (Isaiah 41:13), 'I will not forget thee' (Isaiah 49:15).
Do we say we understand, and we will do what we can to help? God says, 'Is there any thing too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27), 'There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth' (Isaiah 45:21,22).
Go to God in prayer and tell Him in the name of Jesus your troubles, and may you be abundantly blessed as your heart reaches out to Him, as your need - expressed or wordless - reaches His heart.
May you know His comfort roundabout you, reassuring you, loving you, forgiving you and blessing you.
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