Comfort

1. GOD WILL HELP AND COMFORT YOU:

A. His promises of comfort:

Psalm 71:21   Thou shalt … comfort me on every side

Psalm 86:17   Thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me

Psalm 91:15   I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him

Psalm 116:6   I was brought low, and he helped me

Psalm 138:7   Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me

Isaiah 42:6   I the Lord … will hold thine hand, and will keep thee

Isaiah 43:2   When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee

Isaiah 49:13   The Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted

Isaiah 51:12–13   I, even I, am he that comforteth you

Isaiah 66:13   As one his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you

John 14:1–3   Let not your heart be troubled: believe … in me

John 14:18   I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you

2 Corinthians 1:3   Blessed be God … the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort

2 Corinthians 7:6   God … comforteth those that are cast down

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 Our Lord Jesus Christ … which hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation … comfort your hearts

  (See also Psalm 103:6; Philippians 2:1–2.)

B. God is always with you to comfort you:

Psalm 121:4   He that keepeth [thee] shall neither slumber nor sleep

2 Corinthians 1:4   [He] comforteth us in all our tribulation

C. The Holy Spirit, the “Comforter,” will comfort you:

John 14:16–17   [God] shall give you a Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit … shall be in you

John 14:26   The Comforter … is the Holy Ghost

John 15:26   The Comforter … whom I will send unto you from [God]

Acts 9:31   Then had the churches rest … in the comfort of the Holy Ghost

2. HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S COMFORT:

A. Pray and ask for His help:

2 Chronicles 15:4   When they in their trouble … sought [God]

Psalm 34:17   The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles

Psalm 86:7   In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me

Psalm 119:76   Let, I pray, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort 

Psalm 145:18–19   The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon him

Philippians 4:6–7   By prayer … let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God … shall keep your hearts

Hebrews 4:16   Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

B. Examples of King David’s prayers seeking comfort:

(See Psalm 31:9–12; 38:9; 51:all; 69:1–2; 102:1–7.)

C. Read and meditate on God’s Word:

Psalm 119:50   This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me

Romans 15:4   [God’s Word was] written … that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope

D. Stay close to Him:

Psalm 103:17–18   The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him

John 8:29   The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him

E. Continue trusting and have patience:

Genesis 28:15   [God tells Jacob:] I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of

Psalm 42:3–11   Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him

Psalm 119:81–83   I hope in thy word. When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke

Hebrews 10:35–36   Cast not away … your confidence … ye have need of patience, that, after … ye might receive the promise

F. Remember God’s past miracles and mercies:

Psalm 77:1–12   My spirit was overwhelmed … this is my infirmity: but I will remember the works of the Lord

Psalm 119:52   I remembered thy judgements of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself

G. Encourage and remind yourself of God’s faithfulness:

1 Samuel 30:6   David was greatly distressed … but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God

H. Remember, God will never forsake you:

Isaiah 49:14–16   [They] said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and forgotten me. Yet will I not forget thee

Psalm 9:9–10   They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee 

Psalm 31:22   I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: [but] thou heardest … when I cried unto thee

Matthew 28:20   I am with you always, even unto the end of the world

2 Timothy 2:13   [Even] if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful

Hebrews 13:5   I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee

  (See also Isaiah 54:10.)

I. Trust and commit yourself into His hands:

Romans 8:28   All things work … for good to them that love God

1 Peter 4:19   Let them that suffer … commit the keeping of their souls to him … as unto a faithful Creator

J. He will keep you:

Psalm 23:4   Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me

Psalm 37:5   Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him

Psalm 55:22   Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee

Psalm 138:8   The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me

Philippians 1:6   He which hath begun a good work in you will perform [complete] it until the day of Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who … will do it

2 Timothy 1:12   [I] am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him

1 Peter 5:7   Casting all your care on him; for he careth for you

3. GOD LOVES YOU AND CARES FOR YOU:

A. He knows every tear you’ve shed:

2 Kings 20:5   I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears

Psalm 56:8   Put my tears in thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

  (See also Mark 9:24.)

B. He knows exactly what you’re experiencing:

Exodus 3:7   I have seen the affliction of my people … and have heard their cry … I know their sorrows

Psalm 103:13–14   The Lord pitieth [us] for he knoweth our frame

Isaiah 53:4   He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows

Isaiah 63:9   In all their affliction he was afflicted

Hebrews 4:15   Touched with the feeling of our infirmities [He] was in all points tempted like as we are

C. Though He chastises us, He loves and comforts:

Psalm 30:5   His anger endureth but a moment … weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning

Psalm 71:20   Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again 

Psalm 103:9   He will not always chide; neither … keep his anger forever

Isaiah 12:1   Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me

Lamentations 3:31–33  Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion

  (See also Hosea 6:1–3.)

4. GOD’S LOVING HANDS UPHOLD YOU:

A. He is always there, supporting you …

Deuteronomy 33:27   Underneath are the everlasting arms

Psalm 37:17   The Lord upholdeth the righteous

Psalm 37:24   Thou he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand

Psalm 145:14   The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down

Isaiah 41:10   I am with thee: be not dismayed; I will uphold thee with [my] right hand

Isaiah 63:9   In his love and pity he … bare them, and carried them

B. … even in distant lands and lonesome situations:

Psalm 139:8–12   If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I … dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand … hold me

Matthew 28:20   I am with you always, even unto the end of the world

5. IF YOU FEEL YOU’RE IN THE DARK, TRUST IN GOD FOR LIGHT:

Psalm 18:28  The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness

Psalm 112:4  Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion

Isaiah 42:16  I will make darkness light before them, and … not forsake Them

Isaiah 50:10  Who is among you … that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the Lord

Micah 7:8  When I sit in darkness, Lord shall be a light unto me

  (See also Isaiah 58:10–11.)

6. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE:

A. You’re blessed, so be joyful and happy:

Matthew 5:10–12   Blessed are ye, when men shall revile and persecute you. Rejoice and be exceeding glad

John 16:33   In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

2 Corinthians 7:4   I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation

Philippians 4:4   Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice

1 Peter 4:12–13   Rejoice … ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings

B. Happy days will come again:

Isaiah 51:11–12   The redeemed of the Lord shall … obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18   [Jesus will soon come to take us to heaven] Comfort one another with these words (See also 5:10–11.)

  (See also Isaiah 40:2; 52:9; 57:16–18; Jeremiah 31:12–14; Zechariah 1:12–17.)

C. Sorrow will soon be gone:

Job 11:16   Thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away

Psalm 30:5   Weeping may endure a night, but joy cometh in the morning

Psalm 30:11   Thou put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness

Isaiah 49:13   Sing … be joyful break forth into singing: for the Lord hath comforted his people … his afflicted

Isaiah 54:11   O thou afflicted … and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours

D. Think about and be thankful for His comforts:

Psalm 94:19   In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul

7. WHY AND HOW TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER:

A. Sometimes we need the help of others:

Jeremiah 8:18   When I would comfort myself … my heart is faint

2 Corinthians 2:7   Ye ought … to comfort him, lest [he] be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow

  (See also Ecclesiastes 4:9–10,12.)

B. We should comfort one another:

Genesis 37:34–35   And all his [Jacob’s] sons and daughters rose up to comfort him (See also 1 Chronicles 7:22; Job 2:11.)

Isaiah 40:1   Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God

Isaiah 61:1–3   The spirit of the Lord is upon me … he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted … comfort all that mourn …  give unto them the beauty of ashes, oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for spirit of heaviness 

1 Corinthians 12:25   In the body … the members should have the same care one for another

2 Corinthians 2:8   I beseech you that ye confirm your love toward him

2 Corinthians 7:6   God … comforted us by the coming of Titus [a fellow-labourer] (See also Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 4:7–8; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.)

Galatians 6:2   Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Colossians 2:2   Hearts … comforted, being knit together in love

Colossians 4:11   My fellow-workers … which have been a comfort unto me

1 Thessalonians 5:11   Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another

1 Thessalonians 5:14   Comfort the feebleminded [fainthearted, timid]

C. How to comfort others:

Genesis 50:21   [Joseph] comforted them, and spake kindly unto them

Ruth 2:13   Thou hast comforted me … thou hast spoken [kindly]

Proverbs 17:22   A merry heart doeth good like a medicine

Romans 12:15   Weep with them that weep

1 Thessalonians 2:11  We … comforted … you, as a father doth his children

D. Use your own experiences to comfort others:

Psalm 66:12,16   I will declare what he hath done for my soul

2 Corinthians 1:4   That we may be able to comfort [others] in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God

E. The comforting, consoling power of inspired music:

1 Samuel 16:14–16   An evil spirit … troubleth thee. [A musician] shall play … and thou shalt be well (See also 16:23.)

Psalm 32:7   Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance

Psalm 42:5–8   My soul is cast down within me … yet … in the night his song shall be with me

Proverbs 25:20   [Caution: Make sure you sing fitting songs]

F. Encouraging words of prophecy are a comfort:

1 Corinthians 14:3   He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to … comfort

G. When you don’t know what to say, just being there is a help:

Job 2:13   They sat down with him … and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great

Colossians 2:2   Hearts … comforted, being knit together in love

H. Make sure you are comforting, not condemning:

Job 16:2–5   Miserable comforters are ye all. [Job said if they were in his place, he would have comforted them]

8. WHEN FEELING ABANDONED, OR SUFFERING HEARTBREAK OR LOSS:

A. Even when all others leave you, God will always remain:

Psalm 27:10   When father and mother forsake me, Lord will take me up

Psalm 34:22   None of them that trust in him shall be desolate

Psalm 142:4–5   Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul. Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living

Isaiah 54:1,5–6   The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit … when thou wast refused

Isaiah 54:10   The mountains shall depart … but my kindness shall not depart from thee

2 Timothy 4:16–17   All men forsook me … notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me

Hebrews 13:5   He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee

B. God’s special care for the brokenhearted:

Psalm 34:18   The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart

Psalm 51:17   A broken and a contrite heart … thou wilt not despise

Psalm 61:2   When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Psalm 147:3   He healeth the broken heart, and bindeth up their wounds

Isaiah 61:1   He hath sent me [Jesus] to bind up the brokenhearted

  (See also Luke 4:18.)

Ezekiel 34:16   I … will bind up that which was broken

  (See also Isaiah 57:15.)

C. When suffering bereavement:

2 Samuel 12:15–23   [When David’s sick child died, he stopped fasting and weeping, saying:] I shall go to him [in heaven]

1 Corinthians 15:17–21 [Jesus is raised from the dead, therefore our loved ones also live, and we are not to be miserable]

1 Thessalonians 4:13  Concerning them which are asleep [departed] …  sorrow not, as others which have no hope

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18  The dead in Christ shall rise … we shall be … with them … comfort one another with these words

D. It is sometimes better for them to be with God:

2 Corinthians 5:8   We are … willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord

Philippians 1:23   Desire to depart … to be with Christ … is far better

Revelation 7:16–17   [The happiness of our departed loved ones in heaven]

E. When suffering remorse over mistakes or sin:

(See Psalm 31:9–24; 38:1–22; 51:all; Lamentations 1:20; Luke 18:13–14; 2 Corinthians 2:6–8. Also compare Matthew 26:69–75 and Mark 16:6–7.) 

9. HEAVENLY CONSOLATION FOR PRESENT SUFFERING AND SORROW:

A. Comforted by heavenly rewards:

Psalm 37:9   Those that wait on the Lord … shall inherit the earth

Matthew 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn … they shall be comforted

Luke 6:21   Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh

Luke 12:32   Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (See also Matthew 25:34.)

Luke 16:19–22   [The suffering beggar Lazarus] carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom

John 16:20   Ye shall weep and lament … and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy

Romans 8:18   The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory [heavenly reward]

2 Corinthians 1:7   As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation

2 Corinthians 4:17   Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us [an] eternal weight of glory

2 Timothy 2:12   If we suffer, we shall also reign with him

B. There will be no more sorrow or tears in heaven:

Isaiah 25:8   He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces

Revelation 21:4   God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more … sorrow, nor crying (See also 7:17.)