Second Sunday in Lent - Comfort in the Word

Introduction

Are you exhausted each and every time you watch/listen/read a news broadcast? There certainly isn’t a shortage of terrible news items these days. Countries waging war. Ongoing pandemic news. And then there are the personal difficulties within our own lives as well. Maybe health or monetary concerns. There are days that all such news is simply exhausting. We long to find comfort.

Our prayful words, our words of comforti today come from Psalm 27 . They say, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?” and “though war should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him.”These words are about trusting God and not being afraid. God recognized that fear in people right from the Garden of Eden, through moments in the Old Testament, during Jesus earthly ministry. God recognizes fear is us today. The biblical “characters” needed comforting, we need comforting too. We need to press on, work towards our ultimate goals. Jesus himself reminds us of today’s scripture reading:

Reading

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Luke 13:31-35

We Never Forget Our Children

God’s goodness is still present with us today. This goodness hasn’t disappeared, only to return at the end of days, when God makes everything right. This goodness is here, right now. It’s all around us. We simply need to slow down and pay attention. Amongst all the bad news, amongst all our personal dilemmas, God’s goodness is with us

Jesus uses a mother hen as a metaphor in today’s reading. Strange on first glance. But remember, once a hen hatches her eggs, her focus shifts from looking after herself, to protecting her young ones. She becomes the protector, the comforter of others. Anyone who is a parent can relate I’m sure.

A parent (especially a mother) never forgets her children. Even if our children (or ourselves) wander down a different route, we never forget. We struggle when we see our children suffering, or in pain. God mourns when his children suffer or are in pain. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus doesn’t respond to King Herod with violence or abuse. Jesus wants to gather us together, protecting us and keep us safe. That is God’s blessed plan for each of us as well

Words of Comfort

As we prepare to celebrate Easter in a few short weeks, we have been looking towards scripture to find guidance to circumstances which arise i our lives. The Word offers us much spiritual encouragement. The Word offers us the answers we seek. And through these uncertain times, the Word offers us comfort. Here are a few examples:

Trust that God will guide you in any difficult situation:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

God will always help you through whatever life throws at you:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

God will give us strength we didn’t even know we have:

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Comfort is always available to us through the grace of Jesus Christ:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

God’s love far exceeds expectations during our life on earth:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:3-5

God’s comfort is renewed again and again:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Words from Paul

Find comfort in the Word of God. And keep the eternal destination at the forefront of your actions. Don’t focus on the material possessions you may or may not have. Don’t focus on needing the very best foods money can buy. Don’t focus on power or greed at the sacrifice of someone else. Focus on your eternal reward to come. Paul reminds us:

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. ​ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Philippians 3:17 - 4:1

Conclusion

I think we can all agree we are living in an historic period of time. Global unrest in on the rise. Many of us are tired. Many are experiencing personal conflicts which seem unsermountable. Yet we can turn to scripture, turn to the word to find much meeded comfort. Comfort available to us all. We just need to open our bibles to read it. We just need to open our heart to the Holy Spirit. We just need to offer up prayers.

Prayer

The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face! ” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD Psalms 27