The Means of Our Comfort

UV1333/10,000 The Means of Our 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.


2 Corinthians 1 v 4

In all the tests and troubles we encounter in life, the Holy Spirit is present with us as a gentle comforter. We receive grace to endure and to overcome so that we will in turn be able to comfort those who are suffering or who are in grief or pain. The words “ in all our tribulation” implies that the Lord is able to comfort us in every possible trial we face. He is able to console us, to encourage us and give us hope. The Word itself is a source of comfort for every conceivable trouble we could possibly face in the course of life: powerful enemies, death threats, violence, accidents, curses, sickness, misfortunes, disasters, crimes, jealousy, conspiracies, persecution and so on. Newspapers of the world are full of bad news of this kind while the Word is full of good news.

The most distressing situation we face in life is the death of a loved one. There are other types of loss in life but we can show our resilience in fighting back and wresting control of the situation. But mankind has no answer for death but in the hope of resurrection that Jesus offers all mankind. The hope that we will meet again in a joyous or glorious environment keeps us from despair. The other most debilitating situation is in the event of suffering setbacks to health. Jesus as the Balm of Gilead offers healing and deliverance to people from deadly diseases. There are other types of life challenging and life threatening situations for which we can find our help and comfort in the Lord. His grace is truly sufficient to comfort us in every loss.

Ultimately, every human being has a cross to carry in his life, a burden that he or she needs the help of the Lord and His comfort. We have the confidence that He will not test us beyond the point of our endurance. The knowledge that we are not alone in confronting a tribulation is itself most comforting. Further, knowing that there is no limit to the love as well as the power of the Lord in coming to our help gives us the courage and hope. Our faithfulness is proven when we do not just receive the comfort of the Lord but we become active instruments to convey it to others around us. The comfort we extend to others should not just be in words but in practical terms. It should be timely and effective.


Prateep V Philip