WHEN a young child gets hurt, where does she go for comfort? She runs to her mother, right? But as for those of us who are past childhood, where can we turn for comfort in our troubles? Many people of the world have no comforter.
NICOLAE CEAUSESCU oppressed the people of Romania for many years. When his government was overthrown, he tried to flee for his life. His captors kept him and his wife in an armored car and moved around so there could be no rescue attempts. They were both executed.
GENERAL MANUEL NORIEGA oppressed the people of Panama, but the time came when he fled to the Vatican Embassy in Panama City to save his life. While there it was reported that he was dejected and his face expressionless. He had amassed millions of dollars, but what good is it to him now? He is in custody in the United States awaiting trial on several charges.
KING SOLOMON was the wisest man (other than the Lord Jesus) who ever lived in this world. He says, I...considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter (Eccl. 4:11So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. (Ecclesiastes 4:1)). Nicolae Ceausescu and Manuel Noriega had power, but even they had no comforter.
Perhaps as you read this you are thinking, "I'm glad I am free. I am not being oppressed by a dictator!" The Bible tells of those who were oppressed of the devil. Could that be you? Do you have a comforter? To whom can you turn in trouble?
The only ones who have a true Comforter are those who have confessed they are a sinner and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Otherwise you are oppressed of the devil. Going on in your sins you may enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, but what will do you when the season is over? The season may last a while, but it will surely end. What then?
The Lord Jesus, very near the time when He would be crucified, said, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:11Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)). I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth.... I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.... Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:16-18, 2716And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even 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. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16‑18)
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)).
You may say, "I know Christians who have lots of trouble." They may have trouble, but they do have a Comforter. Many times a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has said in time of crisis, "I don't know what I would do without the Lord!" Many of us have experienced very real comfort from the Lord in times of trouble. Our God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:33Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (2 Corinthians 1:3)). Oh, the benefits of being a believer in the Lord Jesus! And there is more: we have the comfort of others who have passed through trouble too and have been comforted. Listen to this: 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 (2 Cor. 1:3,43Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who 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 1:3‑4)). Having experienced comfort in trouble, you then can be a comfort to others.
May I ask again, Do you have this Comforter? If not, do you want Him? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
Do it now!