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.)