The Comfort of the LORD
Each person needs encouragement, motivation, and comfort from time to time. That includes Christians. Even though we are blessed tremendously, we are not immune to the effects of the enormous amount of evil and sadness in the world. With that being true, where do we turn when those things rear their heads? While writing one of his letters to the church at Corinth, Paul early in the epistle stated, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). There is the answer! The ultimate source of comfort is God. Paul continued, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:4). No matter what the difficulty, God is able to supply comfort. Interestingly, God then expects the comforted to comfort others.
Other verses that describe the comfort of the LORD are found throughout the Bible. The book of Psalms has many comfort references. One of the most well known is found in Psalm 23. The psalmist wrote, ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psm. 23:4). Knowing that the LORD is our shepherd can help to get us through any stressful situation. Just like a literal, physical shepherd can calm and ease sheep, the LORD is able to make sure that nothing overcomes us.
Another verse that is helpful when we need reassurance of the LORD’s comfort is found in the very first Psalm. In that psalm, a man who is described as “blessed” is said to “…be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psm. 1:3). The writer continued by stating “…the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous” (Psm. 1:6). There is nothing that goes unseen by the LORD. Therefore, it is comforting to know that God is always interested in the lives of His children.
Continuing to examine evidence of the comfort of the LORD, we now will notice another Psalm. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation” (Psalm 91:1-16). The man that obeys and follows God certainly can be assured of God’s comfort when it is needed.
The final example in this article of the comfort of the LORD is found in the book of Matthew. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
There is no reason for a person to go through life without encouragement, motivation, and comfort. The comfort of the LORD is one of the great blessings that is given to God’s children. Are you a child of God, or do you need to obey the Gospel to become a Christian? It would be a shame to go through the hard issues of life without the comfort of the LORD.
~ Corey Barnette