Comfort, You who are Comforted

“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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Jesus comforts us in our troubles.  He is there.  He does not leave us as our hearts are cut and our own spirit is crushed, but shares it with us.  He is there.  He does not leave us when we grieve, but shares it with us.  He is there.  It is in Him and Him alone that we find peace in the midst of all that we know dying.  He does not die.  He is always there.

“Light shines in the darkness for the godly. … They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.  They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” – Psalm 112:4a,7-8

We who know Him and walk in His Spirit of peace and comfort are able to help others who are in the storm.  Julie and I have experienced this in ways we never saw before.  Why now are we presented with so many people who are in such terrific trials?  Did we simply not notice before?  It is because we know how to comfort now.  We know how to share the truth of faith.  We do not simply understand in our mind that Jesus is the Son of God and can do all things, we know it because we have had to lay our lives upon it.  We can look someone else in the eye, who has lost all they know and loved, and tell them with complete confidence that God can change anyone and make the best from the worst.  You have to have faith.

This light of faith shines for those who know Him.  We can be confident that there will be bad news but we are more confident that the Lord will care for us.  What can this world present to us that is more than God?  We must be completely assured that God will do what He must in our lives so as many people as possible have the opportunity to see Him, choose Him, and know Him.  Regardless of what it costs us, who truly have nothing outside of His presence.