His Comfort

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and 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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-53Blessed 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. 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3‑5)).
The Apostle Paul went through deep suffering and trial in His life of service for Christ and His people. Through it all He experienced the comfort of the God and Christ. In writing to the Thessalonian believers, he said, “Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-1716Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16‑17)).
Having been comforted in his own soul, he had a deeper appreciation for what others were passing through, and wished for them that they would experience and enjoy that same comfort that he had been comforted with. Not only does comfort through trials enlarge our souls, but it also enlarges our sphere of service in being able to comfort others, with genuine feeling and empathy, who are going through similar circumstances. Isaiah having experienced sorrow in his life was told, “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God” (Isaiah 40:11Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. (Isaiah 40:1)).
We also have the Holy Spirit for our comfort as well. Before going back to heaven, the Lord, for the comfort and consolation of the disciples, promised, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even 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. I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:16-1816And 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)).
Joseph Addison (May 1, 1672—June 17, 1719), suffered in many ways both physically and circumstantially during his lifetime. In 1712 he wrote the following lines expressing how the Lord had comforted him through it all.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceived
From whom those comforts flowed.
(Little Flock Hymnbook # 297).
The inspired writer of Psalm 94 said, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul” (Verse 19). These are truly the words of one who has been enlarged through trial.