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Today the common words are:
war, crime, disaster, suffering and death. On the other hand how often do
you hear the word "comfort?" The word comfort is defined as, to give
strength, hope, to ease grief, and trouble.
With the turmoil in which we
live we often need hope. Comfort is needed. Where do we get comfort in
order to endure? In the letter from God we look for comfort. These will
help any who are in trying situations because all humanity needs comfort.
Romans 8:22
FOR WE KNOW THAT ALL CREATION KEEPS GROANING TOGETHER AND
BEING IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW.
Do we have
hope as we continue to suffer?
Job 14: 1,2
"MAN BORN OF WOMAN," IS SHORT LIVED AND GLUTTED WITH
AGITATION.
2. LIKE A BLOSSOM HE HAD COME FORTH AND IS CUT OFF, AND HE
RUNS AWAY LIKE THE SHADOW AND DOES NOT KEEP EXISTING.
Meanwhile,
problems continue.
Romans 15:4
For all the things that were written afore time were
written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the
comfort from the scriptures we might have hope.
A Promise
Jesus made to us:
Matthew 5:4
Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.
Jesus
invited all loaded down to come to him. He promised relief in a permanent
way from sorrow.
Revelations 21: 3-4
With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "Look!
The tent of God is with mankind and he will reside with them, and they
will be his peoples. And God himself will wipe out every tear from their
eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain
be anymore. The former things have passed away."
Did you
enjoy this verse? The fact that there will be no growing old, no loss of
loved ones, and without a doubt, death is a loss. Depression and
discouragement? Tragedy? These were not the original purpose for the
earth. The earth was meant to be a paradise.
Revelation 21:5
And the one seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making
all things new." Also, he says: "Write, because these words are faithful
and true."
We look
forward to that. God makes adequate provisions in a time period
2 Timothy 3: 1-5
But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to
deal with will be here. 2. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of
money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers disobedient to parents,
unthankful, disloyal, 3. Having no natural affection, not open to any
agreement, slanderers, without self control, fierce, without a love of
goodness. 4. Betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride] , lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God. 5. Having a form of godly devotion but
proving false to its power, and from these turn away.
If one is
forewarned, one is forearmed. We trust in God to work with him and
together with other Christians work for unity. It is God we go to for
comfort.
II Thessalonians 2: 16,17
16. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace
constantly in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17. [Here is] my greeting , Paul's, in my own hand, which
is a sign in every letter; this is the way I write.
Comfort
will come, it is there. We must have faith and this is vital. Faith in the
ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We make mistakes and this is where the
blood of Christ is there.
1 John 2: 1-2
My little children am writing these things that you may not
commit a sin. And yet if anyone does commit a sin, with the Father, Jesus
Christ, a righteous one. 2. And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our
sins, yet not for ours only but for the whole world's.
The
helper, Jesus Christ, forgives if we are repentant , enduring and thus
having a favorable relationship in order to receive life. This life force
in conjunction with paradise.
Trust in
God, receiving comfort for encouragement. Looking forward to the
resurrection is a deep comfort.
Psalms 37:11
But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth , And
they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.
So, there
are two groups. One is peaceful, and one is not. The unpeaceful will not
be in Paradise.
If you are
able to talk to God you will be comforted, strengthened by this prayer.
You will even be privileged to see the answer to your prayer, maybe not in
the way you asked but, nevertheless, it will be there. Will you appreciate
he gives help according to his will. One will be given power beyond the
normal in order to endure.
During the
war years there were concentration camps. Those that were there had to
rely on God. History shows Nazi persecution. But, as a group God's people
endured.
These
"Bible Students" never allowed themselves to be re-educated. They were
singled out, but they did not break. "They showed unusual strength and
actually broke down their tormentors," one psychiatrist observed and
reported. It was obvious to those around them, "God gave them this
strength.
They knew
they were not going to make it out alive. However, they trusted in God to
give them a way out of terror and suffering.
There are
many examples in the Bible of those who stayed faithful. The final
assignment is to endure to the end.
Matthew 24:14
And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all
the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end
will come.
Our
physical health can be a means of pressure and stress also. One gentleman
suffered through much pain with cancer. He looked beyond the pain,
continued to share his hope. He endured right to the end.
Some
younger ones have been objects of persecution having been expelled from
schools for their faith. In time this persecution stopped and they were
allowed to continue on in school.
As we
receive comfort then we share this with others.
II Corinthians 1:3,4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort. 4. who comforts us in
all our tribulation. That we may be able to comfort those in any sort of
tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being
comforted by God.
When we
bring good news to a person then comfort is given.
Acts 15:3
Accordingly, after being conducted partway by the
congregation, these men continued on their way through both Phoenicia and
Samaria, relating in detail the conversation of the people of the nations,
and they were causing great joy to all the brothers.
An
experience of a person conducting a Bible study in Japan: The Bible study
resulted in the Baptism of that person. It was years later when the woman
ran into the one with whom she had studied. The woman was married to a
circuit overseer. It was a joyful reunion.
In the
time of death the scriptures are a means to comfort a person.
John 5:28,29
Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which
all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29. and come out,
those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced
vile things to a resurrection of judgement.
These
scriptures will be a way to reason with someone who has suffered a loss of
a loved one through death.
Romans 5:12
That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the
world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they
had all sinned-
The
scriptures offer a comfort and the way we use the scriptures is told here:
I
Thessalonians 5:14
On the
other hand, we exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, speak
consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long suffering
toward all.
Sometimes,
we may not know exactly what to say, but our "just being there" is a help.
Stand by someone during that person's grief. God does not forget our
services. He is there for us, and there is the comfort in knowing this.:
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has taken you except what is common to men.
But God is faithful, and he will not let you to be tempted beyond what you
can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in
order for you to be able to endure it.
Make it
clear God is not to blame. You may read excerpts from this whole chapter.
It is very comforting
Psalms 103
verse 13. As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has
shown mercy to those fearing him. 14. For he himself well knows the
formation of us, Remembering that we are dust. 15. As for mortal man, his
days are like those of green grass, Like a blossom of the field is the way
he blossoms forth. 16. For a mere wind has to pass over it, and it is no
more:
So, throw
your burdens on God
Psalms 55:22
Throw your burdens on Jehovah himself, and he himself will
sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter.
Cultivate
a trust in God. Some things cannot be changed. Go about comforting others,
giving them assistance. Never underestimate and develop a faith in the
ransom sacrifice. Do not give up. Stay focused. Blessings are in store.
Rejoice in the comfort God gives. You are assured of loving care now and
forever. |
