Quarantine 2020 – Comfort
April 5, 2020 6:00 p.m. Study

Comfort is an interesting thing. It is not something we generally focus on outwardly, yet we subconsciously take comfort in may things, and for many reasons. As a minister, I have not often been called upon to speak directly about God’s comfort – this subject has it’s place; say at funerals or when there has been a national tragedy. And usually, when we speak of comfort, it is to be a balm to a grieving, wounded soul.

When it comes to a matter of style, I myself have been known to seek function (comfort) over form (beauty). This applies to clothing, furniture, etc. I personally would rather feel my best than look my best. Some people cannot feel their best unless they look their best.

What about when tragedy has not just stricken us? Are there other times when we need God’s comfort to get by? And if there is, what does that look like?

One of the things that is easily lost on a pastor is the realities of the people in the church. Many people in our church live day in and day out with undercurrents in life – those things just beneath the surface that we can’t possibly let anyone see. We live with fear, shame, and sorrow. We often feel like we are wayward or unworthy of God’s or anyone else’s love. There may be a couple whose child is on the wrong path, or someone with a very dark, secretive, almost cancerous past. Undoubtedly there is that person whose depression isolates than, even, seemingly, from God.

The fact is, I may preach comfort more than I realize, because there is comfort in every scripture text we read. Grace is always comforting – how can it not be? We have ben given everything, nothing in exchange. God has already won the battle we may still be fighting.

A significant portion of Isaiah has been called the “Big Book of Comfort.” Chapter 40 onward is spent comforting a wounded and exiled Israel as the finish out their time of correction

₁Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
² Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

God offers no greater comfort than the forgiveness of sins. I can speak about salvation and the things associated with forgiveness, but ultimately the words of the stories in the Bible are God’s words, and are designed to be a source of comfort.

We sing comfortable lyrics all the time:

“Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea.”

"Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling – calling for you and for me. Come home, all who are weary come home"

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, it is well with my soul"

____________________ 

Comfort brings to mind for me – a MOTHER’S TOUCH – that cooing, soft voice that mother comforts her child, So I will comfort you.

In the New Testament, the word most often used for comfort I the Greek is parakaleo – “called to the side of.” I love this description, as it carries with it the idea of God’s company. His tender-hearted comfort – His fellowship – He is the comforter. Christians can cuddle up safe and secure in preaching that invites them to rest in God's nearness.

What about now? Why do we seem to only outwardly seek comfort when we share in suffering?

God's comfort comes in fellowship of another sort. In 2 Corinthians Paul recalls several of the crushing burdens in his ministry. He was "hard pressed on every side … perplexed … persecuted … struck down." "We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus," he said. He tells of the thorn God would not remove and how at one point he had despaired even of life. All that follows his opening words, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." Then he opens our eyes to the fellowship of sharing in Christ's sufferings.

The comfort Paul alludes to is the unique companionship with Jesus that believers have when we bear suffering by trusting obedience, just as Jesus himself did.

For my own part, I have been told by many that the most difficult thing I will have to do as a preacher and a leader is the speaking to God's people than helping them trust and obey God in their troubles. It is one of the great themes of Scripture. I was recently teaching through the book of Hebrews, and it says (paraphrasing)

“do not forsake the Lord when you suffer because the reward is worth the hardship. It is there in the life of Abraham and all who follow after him. It is the urgent plea of the prophets. It is the point of Revelation. Persevere. God is with you in this. Your faith is not in vain.”

Comfort has a twin, and the two do everything together – comfort and hope. No catalog of Christian comfort is complete without hope. Our certain hope that Jesus is coming again, that he will set all things right, and that we will live forever with him is life-saving comfort.

Many passages of Scripture have signposts pointing toward heaven. I do my level best to take every opportunity Scripture gives me to make God's people homesick. When the going gets rough they must know the comfort of our hope of heaven. They must know that "it will be worth it all when we see Jesus." Like Paul said, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." There is, therefore, something pitiful about a church whose pastor seldom preaches on our hope of eternal life.

Comfort is one of the few things we can give away in a time like this. While people stock up on toilet paper, we as believers need to take advantage of this time to seek the truth of the Word – to find God’s promises and examples of His comfort throughout. We are called to be lights to the world – is there anything more comforting than a well placed night light?

And if you find yourself as the one in need of comfort, you hold in your hands the Big Book of Comfort. Get to know it. If you need a place to start, start with Isaiah 40 through 66 and read of God’s comforting hand extended to a weary and broken nation.  And should you want more comfort, there is no greater comfort than being in His presence. Talk to Him, pray without ceasing.