There Is No Better Comfort Than God’s Comfort

   Too often when we are reading the Bible, there are words, phrases and clauses that we just run right over without stopping to consider, dwell and meditate.  An example is found in a relative clause that Paul used in 2 Corinthians 7:6.  The point that Paul is making in the passage is that Titus had brought good (i.e., comforting) news about the church in Corinth.  But the passage does not say that Titus “comforted” Paul, but “God…comforted.”  Now, I want you to focus on the four words used as a relative clause between the word “God” and the word “comforted.”

Paul drops this little nugget and keeps right on going.  Let’s stop and unwrap it for a moment, for we are informed that we serve a God, “who comforts the downcast.” Or, as the NASB translates it, “who comforts the depressed.” This letter began by calling our God, “…the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts (present tense, continually) us in all our tribulation [affliction, NASB; troubles, NIV]” (1:3-4).  Did you see the word “all” used twice?  When we are downcast or depressed, our God of all comfort comforts us!  How does He do that?

God’s presence is a constant comfort! David wrote, “Where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psa. 139:7).  A child of God learns that no matter where he finds himself, “Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me” (139:10)!  It doesn’t get any better than that!  God is omnipresent!  That comforts me when I’m depressed!

God’s knowledge is a constant comfort! David wrote, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know…You understand…You comprehend…You know it altogether” (139:1-4).  God knows everything that I have faced, am facing or will face!  When I’ve lost a loved one, when a friend has hurt me, when I’ve suffered a major financial loss, when my health is failing, when I’m lonely, my God knows!  God is omniscient!   That comforts me when I’m depressed!

God’s ability is a constant comfort! David wrote, “You formed…knitted…embroidered” (139:13-15).  Knowing that God was so intricately capable of so much in my life even before I was born, how capable is He in my life right now?  “Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (v. 14).  “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty!  There’s nothing my God cannot do!” (cf. Eph. 3:20-21; Mark 10:27).  God is omnipotent!  That comforts me when I’m depressed!

God’s Word comforts (Rom. 15:4)!  God’s promises comfort (1 Thess. 4:13-18)!  God’s people comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-7; 1 Th. 5:14)!  When I’m around God’s Word, His promises and His people, my God comforts me, even when I’m depressed!

David Sproule