What is God's "Comfort"?

The following thoughts were first intended for the [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=13722&forum=35&31]What about Simeon and Anna?[/url] thread, but I think they need to stand on their own.

Simeon saw the Christ-child as the “consolation (comfort) of Israel”. I wish to examine this word: consolation (comfort), and see what else Scripture has to say about it. What does God’s comfort imply for society, and what is our role as Christ’s ambassadors of God’s “comfort”?

What did Simeon really see?

Diane

I have recently been studying/meditating in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah means "Jehovah comforts", so you can probably catch a lot of God's heart of what comforting means there. Many times God's comfort comes after a time of severe judgment. Isaiah 40:1-2 and 51:3 are good examples of God's comfort that rebuilds the waste places of our lives because of sin and resulting judgment. Noah's name includes the idea of comfort, for his father said, "This one will comfort us concerning the work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed" (Gen. 5:29). I think Simeon's reference to waiting for the Comfort of Israel certainly has these thoughts in mind--Christ the restorer of lost glory to the nation.

God's comfort comes after a time of severe judgment.
God's comfort that rebuilds the waste places of our lives because of sin and resulting judgment
Christ the restorer of lost glory to the nation.

“Comfort ye…”

These are the first words you hear in the Handel’s Messiah. After the overture is finished, your attention is quickly captivated by a warm tenor voice proclaiming Isaiah’s ancient words of hope:

Comfort ye, c o m ………. fort ye… my people …”

Here are all the words of the song:

“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people,” saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned.. Is. 40:1-3

What a grand beginning!!! This is the very “comfort” that Simeon saw in the Christ-child: “ the consolation of Israel.”

“Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comfortedhis people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.” Isa 52:9 ESV

You will say in that day:
"I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me. Isa 12:1

We also see this word, “Comfort”, in the story of Boaz and Ruth, one of our earliest redemptive pictures in the Bible: Then [Ruth] said [to Boaz], “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me” Ruth 2:13 The way in which Boaz brought comfort to Ruth parallels the way Christ brings comfort to us.
The renowned Baptist preacher, Dr. Alexander MacLaren, declared: “If I had my ministry to live through again, I should strike the note of COMFORT far oftener than I have done I R Hall
What would it mean to “strike the note of COMFORT today? In what way to people need the comfort of the Lord, as it relates to the ancient promise?

Cont’d…

God's comfort comes after a time of severe judgement

So true,We are comforted (Forgiven,Healed) Because our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ took our sins(Judgement)upon Himself

I dont know all the theological meaning and I will look them up,It sounds like a great word study!But Bottom line its so wild this opportunity God Gives us to comfort others.

"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 which are in any trouble, by the comfort where with we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and sslvation, which is effectual in enduring in the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation..." 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

We were just tonight reading this to our little 2 yr old girl Emma and its so beautiful.We have been given the opportunity to suffer for His sake and also through that bring the glorious gospel to bring that comfort,that healing through repentance unto God's forgiveness.What a rush!Are you kidding me? We have the blessed opportunity To be God's hands and feet to be His mouthpiece.Wow!Are you guys with me on this this?

A pastor’s regret:

I should strike the note of COMFORT far oftener than I have done

Yet, the Bible frequently associates the Good News with words of comfort: rest, peace, consolation, encouragement…. Clearly, Scripture strikes many notes of comfort. Therefore if we want to cooperate with God as his messengers of the “glad tidings” we need to understand the need for “comfort”. Otherwise, all our attempts to share and preach the gospel will be as comfortless as a cup of sawdust is to the thirsty person.

Comfort is a legitimate need. It is necessary for survival. Without adequate comfort, our entire sense of well-being is threatened, and we break down. Jesus understood the importance of meeting legitimate needs for comfort, and he met them – through various miracles. Also, there are several Biblical references about God’s faithfulness in providing natural needs – food, clothing, shelter, safety… .

There is a reason for providing for temporal needs before offering eternal food. A starving man will have trouble accepting truths about Christ if food has not been provided first. What about an emotionally starving person?

Interestingly, at the final judgment our faith will be measured not by our evangelistic efforts, but by our ability to meet basic human needs – which of all things, is demonstrated in the way we offer comfort – a glass of water. It seems so unspiritual.

Here’s a thought: If our society is so obsessed with seeking worldly comforts, then what does that say about the condition of their hearts? Are they really experiencing comfort – deep down?

… or the opposite?

”Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth;
and break forth into singing, O mountains:
for the LORD hath comforted his people,
and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”
Isa 49:13

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Rom 15:4

Diane

Last week’s Christmas gathering of in-laws was graced by the first-time appearance of our 11-month-old granddaughter. Isabella quickly became the focus - doing her cutesy things, taking her first steps, and capturing everyone’s delight.

However, not long after our arrival, I caught a glimpse of a young lady slipping away, obviously crying. I lifted a quick prayer for her, and left it with God. Later I learned that she recently had a miscarriage, and seeing the baby was too much for her.

Thankfully the Lord gave me a one-to-one time with her, and she shared her pain and grief. The conversation progressed to deeper matters of the heart. The discomforts of her heart (those effects of divine judgments on our society) were laid bare – and thus was opened up for spiritual nourishment.

God’s spiritual comfort: his forgiveness and mercy can touch the heart when barriers are broken down and acknowledged. We can’t force down the walls. But we can have that “cup of water” ready – and God will be sure to bring a thirsty soul our way. After all, he is not willing that any perish.

”To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all that mourn.” Isa 61:2

Diane

“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.” Matt. 2:18 , Jer. 31:15

These words come to mind when I think about the grieving young lady whom I met last week – the one who lost her precious baby through a miscarriage.

Actually, this prophesy was fulfilled in Judah when all the baby boys were killed by wicked King Herod in his attempt to eradicate a potential rival to his throne: the Christ-child. Imagine the sound of those wailing mothers that day! Doesn’t it make you weep, just thinking about it? Indeed, no amount of comforting measures could have consoled them. Nothing could have brought back their dead sons.

I can see why this portion of the Christmas story is rarely mentioned or included in the Sunday school pageants. It is too raw. Surely it would be heartless to subject our young children to this degree of human cruelty.

Yet, it is all too real – even today - just more subtle. Yes, still today the Spirit of Christ, birthed in his children, is a rival ruler for our worldly powers. That is because the Spirit, residing in Christ’s followers, is a rival authority. After all, God’s children belong to God’s kingdom, not the kingdoms of the world.

Of course we do not see inquisitions and witch hunts today, but we do see and experience the reality of this evil resistance at work. How many “mothers” are forced to hide their “babies”, or driven into seclusion. Think how often our religious rulers are threatened by the testimony of joy-filled Christians. Think how often these powers-that-be douse the joy through all kinds of controlling measures: rules, regulations, rituals, legalism, roles, silencing women…. and on and on it goes.

Our religious addicts have found their own kind of comforts, and they don’t want their bubble to be burst. In fact, they are so wrapped up in their own little euphoric world that they fail to notice the "weeping woman” sitting in the “back pew”. Any of their attempts at offering words of assurance are like dry wind in the desert – void of comfort.

“Rachael refusing to be comforted… “

Our society is weeping because it lacks the comfort of the Lord - that comfort that aught to be tangibly bestowed on them by Christ’s followers.

“… because they are no more.”

The institutions of society have been trying to fill the void, but they are pitiful substitutes. Besides, they simply cannot console the ever-growing masses of disturbed citizens.

How deserted lies the city,
once so full of people!
How like a widow is she,
who once was great among the nations!
She who was queen among the provinces
has now become a slave.

Bitterly she weeps at night,
tears are upon her cheeks.
Among all her lovers
there is none to comfort her.
All her friends have betrayed her;
they have become her enemies. Lam. 1:1,2

Continued ... (Thankfully this is not the end of the saga!)

Diane

In the last chapter of Genesis we find a story that closely resembles the manner in which God comforts his people:

When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.? Gen. 50:15-21

“ And he comforted them , and spoke to their hearts.” MKJV

Imagine Joseph that day reading the letter (or however he received the instructions) from his brothers. Wouldn’t you have been filled with grief too? Surely Joseph must have thought, “And this, now? After all I have done for them? After all those years I demonstrated total and complete forgiveness?” Surely Joseph’s heart must have broken by the word from his brothers. Evidently they were still harboring suspicion of him - a sign that they had failed to fully trust his forgiveness. They still carried guilt, and that is why they could not trust him.

At this vulnerable time with their father Jacob now dead, the brothers feared that Joseph might unleash a vengeance on them. It would certainly have been a deserved one. They even begged to be his slaves. Now, that may sound pious and humble. But it wasn't. It betrayed their pride. Several years earlier they had been absolved and given freedom, which included a land of blessing in Goshen. Yet now they were afraid to walk in the victory that was theirs. Really they were leaning on their own efforts to buy their way out of their guilt. They were trying to use Joseph for their own selfish ends.

That is the tragic outcome of unresolved guilt.

Joseph’s response to their failure reflects the heart of God. ” He comforted them.” Joseph did not chew them out; nor did he pretend that what they did was okay, nor did he take advantage of their guilt. Instead he comforted them, that is - he reassured them of their pardon! He did so by turning their eyes towards God. ”You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good… “ And those brothers themselves were the beneficiaries of that good!! How much better can grace get!!!

... Joseph wept.

Let’s admit, the experience of guilt is terrifying. When it is not resolved it destroys people and relationships. It launches its victims into pitiful addictions and other sins, all to deaden their consciences. But more subtly, and all too common for the people of God, it launches us into a willingness to degrade ourselves and sell ourselves as slaves in order to buy what we already have been freely given. Religion thrives on this kind of guilt. Religious people tend to aggrivate or mask guilt rather than offer God's comfort.

There is only one way out, and Joseph demonstrated it: It is God’s comfort – the “consolation of Israel” – that is through Christ.

How well do we allow ourselves to be comforted by God?

How well do we offer others this comfort? I suppose it is in proportion to the comfort that we have received for ourselves? (2 Cor. 1:3,4)

Diane

The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, but also comforts us with the assurance of forgiveness.
However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you.
Amplified Bible

Imagine being an onlooker on that great day of Pentecost and suddenly, through Peter’s teaching and the Spirit's conviction, you realized that you were an accomplice in the death of God’s Anointed One! How would you be able to live with yourself? Surely, you would crack apart - with such an enormous burden of guilt.

Guilt is a horrible human experience. I do not know of any form of suffering more excruciating than guilt. It causes all manner of horrible human ailments.

Guilt before God is unendurable. None of us could endure standing before God – nakedly exposed in our guilt. In fact, we’d die if we were not shielded in some way. Guilt is unbearable. It is an enormous disturbance of the conscience. It is a taste of hell. And so it should be, for it is a symptom of rebellion against God. Guilt must be removed. But nothing can fully remove it except the forgiveness through Christ: the “consolation of Israel”.

Peter surely must have understood the painfulness of guilt (Remember his denials?) At Pentecost there was no indication that he tried hard to lay on guilt trips in order to produce repentance. He didn’t even mention hell, damnation, eternal fire. He didn't need to. He simply said the truth - an an indisputable fact: “ …this Christ whom you crucified…”

Even still, the words that ultimately spawned repentance were words of hope:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Act 2:36

(This reminds me of what Joseph said to his brothers: ”You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”)

Interestingly, it was THESE words of Peter that reached their consciences: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what must we do?”

Peter’s call to repentance was a welcome message of comfort for these guilt-ridden people: “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Is that not glorious news for all who are under the dreadful conviction for sin?

GOD'S GOODNESS:
As I look through Acts, I get the impression that it was the goodness of God and the acts of kindness that brought conviction that led to repentance.

“…the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Rom. 2:4
“… God's kindness leads you toward repentance? NIV
“…him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Pet. 1:3

I think that is exactly what happened at Pentecost. Even before Peter's address the people had heard “… them declaring the wonders of God in [their] own tongues.” Acts 2:11 It was God's goodness all the way!!

THE WRATH OF GOD:
Am I imagining it, or do we find it easier to discuss God’s wrath than God’s comfort? I suspect a thread called “What is God’s Wrath?” would be far more attractive. Certainly the subject of God’s wrath doesn’t demand our vulnerability in the same way as God's comfort. After all, God’s comfort is synonymous with God’s forgiveness. And receiving forgiveness makes us vulnerable. It requires of us something that nothing else does. It requires the surrender of our pride and our desire for control over ourselves and over others. You have to let it all go.

I wonder if that is why pagan deities are typically wrathful. At least with them you can buy your way out. You can sacrifice your child, you can beat yourselves up. You can do good works. But to receive forgiveness from a good God? That takes everything from you. It demands that you also forgive others and let them off the hook too. That idea is repulsive to every fibre of our nature. We would naturally rather participate with God’s vengeance and wrath than with his forgiveness and goodness. (Remember Jonah?)

God’s comfort: Our pride repels it; and yet, when we experience it, we know that there is nothing more wonderful. No wonder we can’t help but give it to others once we have received it.

God’s comfort: This is the spirit of prophesy. It flows from Christ. It is redemptive!

"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort ." 1 Corinthians 14:3

Diane

On the Sabbath they [Paul and his companions] entered the Synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” Acts 13:13

Wow! What a moment of opportunity! How many of us SI’ers, who are concerned about the condition of our modern church, would love the opportunity to publicly disclose our burdens. But wait! The apostles weren’t invited to come and share about everything that is wrong with the religious system of the day. They were asked to bring a message of encouragement that is, if they had one.

The religious establishment of Paul’s day was filled with just as much hypocrisy as ours is today. We would think: They did not need any word of encouragement! They needed a good stiff word of chastisement!

But that is not God-thinking. And it was not Paul-thinking. Paul did not take advantage of the opportunity to unburden his heart. Paul did not begin in a combative manner, nor scold them for their rebellious hearts. He stayed absolutely trustworthy to the parameters of the invitation. He offered encouragement. In other words, he offered God’s comfort – through and through. He crafted his message in such a way that there was no doubt about it: It was Good News all the way from their days in Egypt till the present! It was God’s glorious program. And the best news of all was for them that very day:

“Therefore [because of the resurrection] I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

Even Paul’s warning exuded with a sweet taste. And it made the listeners curious - eager to hear more. Paul simply quoted a verse from Isaiah: “Look you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.”

Note the results of Paul’s one-minute discourse that day:

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.”

What might we learn from this example in Acts?

Diane

Hi all,i hope my scribblings arn't to confusing!!

I think its easy to think this society is so different from the time of Jesus,after all were postmodernist :-P ..

But i think its interesting when we see this scripture

Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"

Whatever the degree of comfort were not so different..Were forever trying to make ourselves comfortable,so as to forget were comfortless..Were either trying to be happy in our comfort zone,or reaching for more worldly comfort to blank out the need for real comfort

I looked up word consolation

2Th 2:16 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

so are love & grace & hope the consolation?,but there invisiable till we realize we need them?..

Of course this leaves me in a awkward position regarding Israel was Simeon right? That they clearly didn't choose him in the main,make his statement any less valid?
andy

THE WRATH OF GOD:
Am I imagining it, or do we find it easier to discuss God’s wrath than God’s comfort? I suspect a thread called “What is God’s Wrath?” would be far more attractive. Certainly the subject of God’s wrath doesn’t demand our vulnerability in the same way as God's comfort. After all, God’s comfort is synonymous with God’s forgiveness. And receiving forgiveness makes us vulnerable. It requires of us something that nothing else does. It requires the surrender of our pride and our desire for control over ourselves and over others. You have to let it all go.

I wonder if that is why pagan deities are typically wrathful. At least with them you can buy your way out. You can sacrifice your child, you can beat yourselves up. You can do good works. But to receive forgiveness from a good God? That takes everything from you. It demands that you also forgive others and let them off the hook too. That idea is repulsive to every fibre of our nature. We would naturally rather participate with God’s vengeance and wrath than with his forgiveness and goodness. (Remember Jonah?)

God’s comfort: Our pride repels it; and yet, when we experience it, we know that there is nothing more wonderful. No wonder we can’t help but give it to others once we have received it.

God’s comfort: This is the spirit of prophesy. It flows from Christ. It is redemptive!

[i]"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and [b]comfort[/b] ."[/i] 1 Corinthians 14:3

Oh my ... Sister you are hitting below the belt here.... And are absolutely correct. Interesting that this verse was greatly overlooked in recent discussions of all things prophetic ... I do think there is a great evidence of this fact of (forgiveness) being overshadowed by what does end up drawing more attention. It is an uncomfortable thing for some of us to come to that very end, of desperate helplessness, to know you not only do not deserve it and can do nothing but accept it. Of course in this day that it has been turned into the [i]God forbid[/i] of Paul's admonishen about the very nature of grace (that we go on sinning) has made the pendulum swing far too much to the opposite extreme.

[i]the goodness of God [u]leadeth[/u] thee to repentance[/i]

Yes, what of [i]this controversy[/i]?

"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort ." 1 Corinthians 14:3

Interesting that this verse was greatly overlooked in recent discussions of all things prophetic

Mike, You write: “ … in recent discussion”, but more astonishing to me is how I myself missed this point all along! I didn’t see it until I actually inserted the scripture verse at the end of the post. At the same time I had the “prophet” thread on my mind, and that's how I made the connection. Why! They belong together! Daauhh!

It looks like we’ve just wedded two biblical terms: prophesy and comfort.
That reminds me of Ron Bailey’s sermons, where he cautioned of the danger of lifting words out of scripture in order to define them. Words need to be understood in light of other biblical concepts. Indeed, the danger of lifting words out of the Scriptures is that we weaken them, disconnect them, redefine them, and make them non-functional - much like lifting the heart or the stomach out of the body. We damage or kill the entire organism. What a master trick of the devil!

Satan conquers by dividing, and here is a good example of how he tries to sever truth from truth in order to weaken and distort God’s Good News. Indeed the two key biblical terms: “prophetic” and “comfort” must not be divorced.

So what happens when we wed the theme of the prophetic and the theme of God’s comfort ? Consider these two scriptures:

“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people,” saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned.. Is. 40:1-3

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy… see visions, dream dreams…
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:18

The ministry of prophecy, when in the power of the Spirit produces life:

24But if all prophesy [giving inspired testimony and interpreting the divine will and purpose] and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in, he is told of his sin and reproved and convicted and convinced by all, and his defects and needs are examined (estimated, determined) and he is called to account by all, 1 Cor 14:24 (Amplified)

No wonder Paul writes:
”Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy…. ” 1 Corinthians 14:39

Clearly words of prophecy have the power to touch hearts and change them. It is the power of the Spirit at work (as opposed to man’s natural attempts to change people). Prophecy is the carrier of the Good News - God’s comfort.

The prophetic message IS comforting for the lost sinner and for the saved as well. We all need it. Both concepts belong to the Covenant promise. It's all one and same promise!

Something to consider:
What happens to the Gospel message when we splinter the two concepts: the “prophetic” and the “consolation” (comfort)?

Diane

Hi,Great thread Diane!

I was struck with the expression Wherever you think Jesus is, He's not..

By that I mean the company He keeps.. He kept some pretty unsavory company on a number of occasions i.e tax collectors, prostitutes etc..

There's so many people that if I heard Jesus was sharing a meal with I WOULD FREAK!! To make matters worse Hes enjoying Himself!! Jiminy Cricket's I would be frustrated,confused maybe even betrayed?

Maybe the problem we have with comfort is: who He offers it to? lol...Sometimes we think we are a better judge of who deserves comfort than God does..

andy

Hi, Andy, You have made a lot of great points so far! This one in particular is striking:

Sometimes we think we are a better judge of who deserves comfort than God does..

For sure, you are getting to the heart of the matter - and that leads into another aspect of God's comfort: His DIScomfort - that is, for those who can't accept the way he does things.

more later...

Diane

Hi i just heard a great sermon by Art Katz about the Cross..
He said we can see the decline in the Church, with the decline of the Cross being preached..That we hate the word suffering,and any preaching about it seeping into our comfortable world..

I was wondering if we have a problem with "Hes our comfort" because that means confronting the Cross,and also the Cross we have carry are selves..

andy

I was wondering if we have a problem with "He’s our comfort" because that means confronting the Cross

Andy, What is it about the cross that discomforts many? Why does this not seem to deter others from following Christ - in fact, it is wonderful consolation to them?

Diane

Hi well I'm thinking aloud here..To the world the Cross is the other side of Christ..Theres the meek side : The Jesus is love,Good Samaritan,help the poor..yesss sir thats very comforting..Its rather ironic no one ever questions these verses..

But looming up the road is standing a Cross..Grouped together with the Cross is "I'm the only way to the Father" then it starts to get less comforting and more confronting..Now ur suddenly remember hmmmm didn't he also say something about picking our own Cross up ouch..
Andy