The God of ALL Comfort
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God. II Corinthians 1:3-4 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)
Where do you go for comfort? Do you turn to your spouse, friends, family members, social media…? When you are hurt or disappointed do you go shopping? Do you turn to the fridge to bring you comfort? The Apostle Paul makes it clear that God is the Source of every comfort. Nowhere in the Bible does it instruct believers to rely on people or things to heal our wounds, encourage us or build us up. God is THE Source of comfort and encouragement. Getting comforted by others is not wrong, and God will place kind believers in our path to weep with us and help us, but we always need to turn to God as our ultimate Comforter. The word comfort in this passage is the Greek word Paraklesis, which means comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty. Note this word’s similarity to Parakletos, which means advocate and consoler and is used to describe the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is to be our Source of comfort. He is THE COMFORTER.
When we turn to food for comfort, it might ease the pain, but it has negative effects on our health. Relying on shopping or other activities as a diversion to comfort us might seem to help, but our bank account takes a hit. These things only offer temporary relief. And while other people can be a comfort to us, they can only do so much. God is the only One who can heal what hurts. King David went to God for comfort. The Psalms are evidence that David took his hurts, disappointment, and anxieties to the Lord. And God called him a man after His own heart.
Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah Psalm 61:1-4 (NKJV)
Going to the temporary things of this world will bring only temporary comfort. When we go to the God of all comfort, our comfort is eternal and He will heal every hurt. Let the Holy Spirit be the God of all comfort to you today.
