Life in the 90’s seems to have brought with it a desperate attempt to be comfortable. Cotton has again emerged as the fabric of choice for our clothing–it’s more comfortable. Our cars, homes, and offices have thermostatically controlled heating and air conditioning (of course, we’re happiest when we control the thermostat). And even in the gatherings of the local church, we’d rather not have someone “stepping on our toes” in the course of teaching and ministry. The byword of our generation seems to be: “Don’t rock the boat; I’m quite comfortable, thank you!”
When the prophet Isaiah wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit, “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people…speak ye comfortably (to the heart) to Jerusalem …her iniquity is pardoned” (40:1-2), he wasn’t concerned with the usual creature comforts (externals) which we diligently seek today. He was addressing an internal situation, a relationship with God and hence with His people. In fact, we do well to often remind ourselves of the stinging rebuke of Amos 6:1, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.”
Yet there is comfort for the soul to be found in God: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies (compassion), and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble (the same word as tribulation in Greek), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
The term “comfort” in this passage is more often translated as “consolation” or “exhortation” in our New Testament. W. E. Vine renders comfort as, “a calling to one side, an exhortation, or consolation.” In just the same way that our heavenly Father is the Father of Eternity (Isa. 9:6) and the Father of Lights (Jas. 1:7), so too, He is the Father–the Source, the Author, the Progenitor–of all comfort. What a happy thought in times of distress and trial.
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (2 Thess. 2:16-17). Yes, the Scripture does suggest that the Godhead is involved in providing comfort, just as the Trinity is involved in accomplishing the plan of salvation. The Lord Jesus told His disciples that “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name” (Jn. 14:26) would be available to them after His ascension. He would “not leave them comfortless” (Jn. 14:18). That Comforter is called the “Advocate”–One called alongside to give aid, legal defense, etc. (1 Jn. 2:1). Matthew Henry says that “because He loves us with an everlasting love, therefore we have an everlasting consolation.”
All of this from our Father in heaven is included in the benefits of salvation. Paul reminded Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12). Again, Vine tells us that means we are to be “practically appropriating all the benefits, privileges, and responsibilities of eternal life.”
Once we have appropriated and enjoyed these blessings of God, we’ll be able to share that same comfort with others who are in need. It has been well stated that our desire should be to be used as channels of blessing, rather than reservoirs of truth. As we enjoy God’s comfort in a very uncomfortable world, let’s determine with His help to be a source of comfort to others. Our Father’s supply is inexhaustible.
“Finally, brethren…be of good comfort” (2 Cor. 13:11).