God Our Comforter

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)

Growing up in Michigan, I’ve seen my share of harsh winters and cold temperatures. There’s no greater feeling after a day of work outside than warming up in front of the fireplace, cup of hot chocolate in hand. The warmth they bring soothes cold and tired muscles. But as comforting as these things seem at the time, nothing can compare to the God of all comfort who is with us when life blows us off course, when someone’s harsh words chill us to the bone or when the howling wind of despair freezes us in indecision.

The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that God is “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” The greek translation for the word comfort used in this verse is parakaleo, which means “to call to one’s side, speak to, in the way of exhortation, console or teach”1 He sent His Holy Spirit to us as our Comforter. God knows all that we’ll face in this world, and knows we cannot possibly persevere by relying on our own strength. The Holy Spirit within us empowers us to walk with God in a corrupt and dying world. When there is so much hate around us — He loves us. When there is so much negativity around us — He encourages us. When there are lies all around us — He shows us the truth. When there is so much fighting and discord around us — He gives us peace. The Holy Spirit is an abiding presence who will never wear out, leave or forsake us. The closer we stay to God in prayer and Bible study, the more fully we experience the warmth of His abiding presence.

God Comforts Us in Many Ways

1. Through His Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Before Jesus went to die on the cross, He spoke to His disciples and prepared them for a new way in which they would experience His comforting presence.”And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16–18) Just as Jesus was present with the disciples, He is present with believers today through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us to teach, comfort and encourage the believer.
2. Through the Bible. We read in Psalm 119:50 — “this is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.” In what ways did God’s Word revive the psalmist? If we continue to read Psalm 119, arrogant people derided him, he continued to follow God’s guidance, finding comfort in remembering God’s words. Memorizing verses in the Bible helps us to walk in God’s counsel and helps us to recall comforting verses in difficult times. I can’t count the number of times I’ve quietly recited this verse from Psalm 23, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
3. Through godly people. Although the Holy Spirit’s comforting presence cannot be replaced, God sometimes intends for us to be comforted by the words or presence of another person. In 2 Corinthians 7:6, the apostle Paul wrote about such an experience: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” God speaks to us and comforts us sometimes in the daily interactions we have with other people. The kind words of a friend or thoughtful wisdom from the Word of God spoken by another, are often inspired by the Holy Spirit. Comforters come in many shapes and sizes. Don’t miss the godly the Lord sends you. Instead, thank God for them and pray to be a source of God’s comfort to others.
4. Through prayer. Suffering and weakness are a part of life. However, God promises His comfort and mercy when we approach Him in prayer:

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) — whether you are experiencing something difficult or desperately need to hear from your Heavenly Father, He wants you to approach Him in prayer and express the needs of your heart, and to rest quietly and reverently in His presence.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

Prayer

Lord, You are the God of all comfort. Thank you for the comfort You give me. Forgive me for the times I don’t experience Your comfort because I don’t pray. May You use me to be a source of Your comfort to others. In Jesus name, amen.

References:

1. http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/parakaleo.html