eDevotions for Growing Christians

What comes to mind when the word "comfort" is mentioned? A hammock in the summer shade with a gentle breeze blowing and a pitcher of cold lemonade nearby? A reclining chair beside the fire in a cozy den on a cold winter day? Sounds comfortable, doesn't it? However, this is not what the Bible has in mind when the word comfort is mentioned.

In order to catch the Biblical meaning of the word comfort, picture in your mind the following situations: a struggling swimmer being rescued by a strong lifeguard; a sobbing child, "lost" in the supermarket, being helped by a kind store manager; a grief-stricken mother being consoled by a compassionate pastor; even an accused citizen being assisted by an able defense lawyer. (The word "advocate" in 1 John 2:1 is the same word which is translated "comforter" in chapters 14-16 of John, where the Lord Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit.) You see, in the Bible, the primary idea in the word "comfort" is "to come alongside" to give aid in time of need. This is really what comfort is all about. No wonder this is the word that our Lord used when He spoke of the Holy Spirit who would come and comfort us.

Verse 3 of our Scripture tells us that our God is a God of comfort. He is not a hard and unconcerned boss, but rather a helping and supporting, compassionate and consoling Father who "comes alongside" to help in times of trouble. He is the "Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." All comfort ultimately has its source in God. Why then, in times of need, do we look within ourselves to find a source of comfort there? It's just not there! It's pretty hard to "come alongside of" yourself to help yourself! The source of all comfort resides outside ourselves in God. David said, "I will lift up mine eyes...My help comes from the Lord." David knew that it was useless to look within himself for help. All his help was from without--from the Lord Himself (Psalm 121).

In the first part of verse 4 there is a promise we can claim. Our heavenly Father will comfort us in all our affliction. The word affliction here means "pressed or burdened of spirit." It does not mean only physical suffering, but anything that comes along to get us down--like the pressure of circumstances or the antagonism of persons. God has promised to come alongside us and help us during all these times. So let's claim this promise! Do you feel like tossing in the towel right now because nobody appreciates the job you're doing? Claim the promise and call on the Lord. He will "come alongside" and help you. Does it seem as if everyone is picking on you and doesn't understand? Look to the Lord. He has promised to "come alongside" and comfort you. Now one word of qualification is in order here. The Bible tells us that when we call on the Lord it should be "out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). In other words, if our spirits are pressed because we are bitter against God or angry with our folks or jealous of our roommate, then we should not expect God to come alongside and comfort us. Most likely He will discipline us (in love, of course). But if our hearts are "right," then we can always count on God to "come alongside" and help us in our times of need.

Another beautiful side of this promise in verse 4 is that He will comfort us in all our afflictions. A problem for us is what is pressing in on our spirits. Someone else may consider this burden insignificant or it may be too personal to discuss with anyone, but it is pressure on our spirit just the same. Therefore if we call on the Lord we can be sure that He will come alongside us to give us aid. We must admit that we do make mountains out of molehills and we do mix up our priorities. Many of our problems are our own fault--but still, God, in His grace, comes alongside and helps us in our problems. What a promise! In the second half of verse 4 there is a responsibility given to Christians who have known the comfort of God. We are to comfort others! The comfort of God is not a dead-end with us! We are to pass it along! This is one very personal method that God had chosen to distribute His comfort. We are to "come alongside of" others who are in need and give them comfort. We are not comforted to be comfortable but to be comforters.

We see, then, that one of the reasons why God permits us to go through troubles and hardships is to open up "comfort-channels" for others. Did you ever experience the comfort of God when you were lonely? Then "come alongside of" that lonely student down the hall and pass on the comfort of God. Did God "come alongside of" you and bridge the troubled waters when you and the guy or girl you had dated for two years broke up? Then "come alongside of" that heart-broken girl who needs the comfort that only God can give. Was the Lord there to help you when you lost your job? Then "come alongside of" your neighbor who has just been laid off and let God comfort him through you. You have become a channel of comfort! We are not to avoid people who have problems, but rather we are to get involved--to "comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

A lot of Christians have the idea that the "ideal life" on this earth is one which is completely free of any problems or afflictions--just one big comfortable ride. They even get a little uptight with God when things don't go smoothly, and feel that God is "letting them down." But if our lives were free of problems we would never know the comfort of God. Think of a little child who falls and scrapes his knee. His father "comes alongside" and picks him up. He consoles him and gently washes and bandages his knee. That wonderful experience of fatherly comfort was only possible because the child had the "problem of affliction" of a painful scraped knee. Yes, God permits us to "scrape a few knees" in this life so that we can experience the comfort of our heavenly Father. The "ideal life" for the growing Christian is not one that is comfortable--it is one that is comforted.

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