Our Greatest Comfort
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I'm going to do my best to share with you today what I believe God has laid on my heart. I feel so inadequate to do this study, but I'm so thankful that God can use even the foolish things of this world. There are several ladies here today, and although we are all different in many ways, one thing remains true for all us. And that is we all face struggles. Life is hard, its full of ups and downs, heartache, loss, worry and fear. And at times its exhausting. We seek for comfort and we can find it in many things. As a child I found comfort in my parents, and as an adult I still do. We find comfort in our spouses, children, friends, family, church family, doctors and medicine. And although all these things I mentioned are good, my greatest comfort/ the comfort that is eternal and brings about sweet peace and rest even in the darkest of times, comes from God and God alone. I'll admit that there are times in life when I don't always feel God's presence and comfort. But that is usually because I'm doubting Him in some way and lacking faith. God's Word is meant to be a comfort to us, but it can only be that comfort if we believe His Word to be true. And although trials are hard, it's only in the greatest of trials that we can experience the greatness of His comfort. As we're approaching
Christmas, it brings about many emotions. For some its a time of laughter, family and friends. For others it can be a time of heartache. My dad went home to be with the Lord just a few days before Christmas, so for me, it's bittersweet. But as we approach this Christmas season, and as we think on different things, I want us to remember that when Jesus Christ came to this earth to be born of a virginj not only did Lord and Saviour come, but also greatest Comforter. This world offers us temporal comforts, but God's comfort is eternal and brings about that sweet peace and rest that we so desperately need. I typed up some different verses that I'd like for us to read. I also put some definitions with the verses that may seem rather simple. But although it may be simple, it is so humbling and amazing to see just how much God cares for His children.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
Tribulation: Severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations.
Vexation: The act of irritating, or of troubling, disquieting and harassment. State of being irritated or disturbed in mind. Great uneasiness.
He knew the trials we were going to face, for He Himself faced trials just as we do when He was on this earth. But yet because He loves us and knows even the deepest parts of us, He gives us comfort. But not just any comfort. The Bible says the God of all comfort, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation. Not some, but ALL!
Consolation: To give rest or quiet, to strengthen. To comfort: to cheer the mind in distress or depression; to alleviate grief, and give refreshment to the mind or spirits; to give contentment or moderate happiness by relieving from distress.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on thee:
Because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the Lord for ever:
For in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
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.
Everlasting: Lasting or enduring for ever; eternal; existing or continuing without end; immortal.
I’m so thankful that He loves us and that His consolation exists without end.
Unless the Lord had been my help,
My soul had almost dwelt in silence.
When I said, My foot slippeth;
Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me
Thy comforts delight my soul.
Mercy: That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant.
May we always be thankful that although we sin and fail Him every day, He has mercy towards us, and treats us (the offender) far better than he deserves.
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth,
And delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
But the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones:
Not one of them is broken.
Again, notice the word ALL.
Contrite: Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, brokenhearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.
Deliver: To free; to release, as from restraint; to set at liberty; as, to deliver one from captivity. To rescue, or save.
Before we are God’s child we are held in captivity by sin. But the moment we recognize our sin and realize our need of a Saviour, He is faithful to save us! The Lord knew our afflictions would be many, but yet he delivers us out of them ALL!!
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
When we have a relationship with the Lord, we are His child, and He is our Abba Father. Abba Father means Daddy. When I was a child I could always find comfort and safety in my daddy’s arms. God wants us to find an even greater comfort and safety in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Even when we are at a loss for words, the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us to the Lord. He prays for us and God hears.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We have so much hope in the Lord. Even though we are unworthy of His love, He loves us anyways. And NOTHING can or ever will ever be able to separate us from His love.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Sustain: To bear; to uphold; to support; as, a foundation sustains the superstructure. To hold; to keep from falling. To support; to keep from sinking. To maintain.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:
And he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his seed begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
And his seed is blessed.
Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell for evermore.
We will never be cast down for He is, and always will be faithful. He upholds me with His hand.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart,
More than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.
Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God:
For unto thee will I pray.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness:
Neither shall evil dwell with thee.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing:
The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy:
And in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies;
Make thy way straight before my face.
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is very wickedness;
Their throat is an open sepulchre;
They flatter with their tongue.
Destroy thou them, O God;
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions;
For they have rebelled against thee.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:
Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them:
Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous;
With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.
O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger,
Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak:
O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
My soul is also sore vexed:
But thou, O Lord, how long?
Return, O Lord, deliver my soul:
Oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
For in death there is no remembrance of thee:
In the grave who shall give thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning;
All the night make I my bed to swim;
I water my couch with my tears.
Mine eye is consumed because of grief;
It waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity;
For the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplication;
The Lord will receive my prayer.
Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed:
Let them return and be ashamed suddenly.
Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.
O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust:
Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Lest he tear my soul like a lion,
Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
O Lord my God, if I have done this;
If there be iniquity in my hands;
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;
(Yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it;
Yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth,
And lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
Arise, O Lord, in thine anger,
Lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies:
And awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about:
For their sakes therefore return thou on high.
The Lord shall judge the people:
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
And according to mine integrity that is in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just:
For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
My defence is of God,
Which saveth the upright in heart.
God judgeth the righteous,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.
If he turn not, he will whet his sword;
He hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death;
He ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity,
And hath conceived mischief,
And brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit, and digged it,
And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head,
And his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness:
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.
O Lord our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength
Because of thine enemies,
That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,
And hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;
Thou hast put all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen,
Yea, and the beasts of the field;
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,
And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben, A Psalm of David.
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee:
I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
When mine enemies are turned back,
They shall fall and perish at thy presence.
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause;
Thou satest in the throne judging right.
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked,
Thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end:
And thou hast destroyed cities;
Their memorial is perished with them.
But the Lord shall endure for ever:
He hath prepared his throne for judgment.
And he shall judge the world in righteousness,
He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:
For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion:
Declare among the people his doings.
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them:
He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord;
Consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me,
Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
That I may shew forth all thy praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion:
I will rejoice in thy salvation.
The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made:
In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth:
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
Higgaion. Selah.
The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten:
The expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail:
Let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord:
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:
Let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me:
Thou art my help and my deliverer;
Make no tarrying, O my God.
The wonder that God thinks upon me!!
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me,
And thy right hand shall hold me.
He not only knows us and loves us, but He is always with us.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:
When I awake, I am still with thee.
Precious: Of great price; costly; as a precious stone. Of great value or worth.
So often I feel so worthless, but to God we are of great worth. Not only does He think precious thoughts of you and me but they are more in number than the sand!
At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Pray: to supplicate; to entreat; to urge; to beg.
Love: An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure.
This is right before Jesus was crucified. In this passage He is praying for you and me. It is so humbling to think that He loves us and takes pleasure in us.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Right before Jesus’ crucifixion, He is speaking to His disciples. Comfort is needed at the absence of a loved one. Jesus knew we would need comfort, and He promised in His Word that He will not leave us comfortless. That He would come to us by the Holy Spirit.
Life is hard and full of uncertainties, but God is always faithful and only wants us to trust Him with all of our hearts. Only than can our minds and soul be at perfect peace and rest. There is great comfort to be found in God and in His Word. Oh, how He loves you and me! Although these comforts may not remove the hardship or trial, it can help ease the pain and make this trial bearable through Him. Rest in Jesus and His Words. He is true and faithful and always will be, even if our thoughts and feelings tell us otherwise.
