The Word - May 23, 2012 - GOD IS OUR MERCIFUL FATHER AND THE SOURCE OF ALL COMFORT

"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 afflictions so we may be able to comfort others who are afflicted with the same comfort God has given us" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

In order to understand the meaning of the word "comfort" as it is used here, picture in your mind a sobbing child who has skinned up a knee and comes running to mom, who folds the child in her arms, speaking loving words and showering the little one with kisses. Get the picture?

In the Bible, the primary idea here is One who "comes along side" to lessen the hurt and to give aid in time of need. This is what comfort is all about. No wonder this is the word Our Lord uses when He spoke of the Holy Spirit who would come and comfort us.

Verse 4 tells us God will comfort us in all our afflictions. The word refers to a "pressed down or burdened spirit." It refers to anything that takes place to get us down; like the pressure of circumstances or the hurt that hits us when someone we depended on lets us down. So let's claim this promise!

Are there times, (perhaps right now) when you feel like "tossing in the towel" because everything seems to be going the wrong direction in your life? Claim the promises in our Scripture. The Lord promises to "come along side" in mercy and comfort you.

One word of qualification here, the Bible tells us that when we call on the Lord it must be out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). That means to come like David of old and ask God to search us out and forgive our sins. If our heart is right, then we can ALWAYS count on the Lord to come alongside and help us in our times of need.

Yes, God permits us to "scrape a few knees" along the way in this life so we can experience the mercies and comfort of our Heavenly Father. The believer's life is not one that is "comfortable; it is one that is comforted!