The God of All Comfort

December 8, 2013 There was a certain time in my life not long ago which, to me, was a terrible trial. There were more days of sorrow than joy; there was constant oppression. It was more than just bad circumstances; it was the most real spiritual warfare Id ever known. The weight that smothered me and the cloud that surrounded me made it almost impossible to even function. But it was at this time that God began to show me the real meaning of daily bread. It was through this season that I understood with firsthand knowledge what it means to lie awake upon my bed meditating on His precepts. It was during this time that be still and know was not some goal to be achieved but it was the only possible source of comfort and the only thing that could be done. Today I want to talk to you about this comfort. I want to talk to you about trials and pain and suffering and I hope that by the time were finished that youll be content with me to say, Blessed be the name of the Lord. To begin lets turn to First Corinthians 1:3-10. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; The part of this verse which is most commonly known is the God of all comfort. And its well known for a good reason. The word for comfort means to call someone for help. 1 Its not just that God pats us on the back and tells us everything will be ok: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore (Ps. 121:1-8). But dont miss the words right before it: the Father of mercies. I believe Paul puts mercy and comfort in the same sentence because often mercy is the comfort. We all hope for comfort in outside trials, but what about when we deserve our trials?

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=paraklhsews&la=greek#lexicon

What about when all the things that happen to us should be happening because were so selfish or arrogant or rebellious? What did David learn? The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. 65Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. 66Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 68Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes (Ps. 119:64-68). But why does God allow us to suffer trials at all? There are two reasons. The first is so we can comfort others:
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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. 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. You see, heres the thing: all those days of waiting on daily bread have helped me see that it does come right on time, every time. This isnt just something I read in a book once. I know it from firsthand experience. And now Im able to take that experience and use it for your benefit. Will God provide? Yes. God will provide. The comfort that was given to me is shared with those who need it now. And soon your trial will be over and God will place someone in front of you who needs reassurance that neither the sun nor the moon will smite them because the Lord which keeps us neither slumbers nor sleeps. And youll know this is true and youll be able to say, He hasnt failed me yet. His mercy is unending and His comfort is unfailing. But my trial is so big. I just dont see how this can work out.
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For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

The things that were happening to them were so bad that they saw no way out; they had no hope. But God had a reason for letting them get so desperate:
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But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Heres the second reason God allows us to suffer: it forces us to trust in Him. We cant save ourselves; we need God. It reminds me of Pauls thorn and My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (II Cor. 12:9). He did save. He does save. He will save. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Ps. 46:1-11). newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com