May Hope Be Your Anchor – Part Five

“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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”  (II Cor. 1: 3, 4).

        The God who is depicted as “the God of all comfort” has a monopoly on all comfort. He uses it to comfort us in “all our tribulation. What is the operative word in those two statements? It is “all.” Therefore, if you need comforting, go to the source, God.

        When you are comforted that is not the intended end of the act. Sure, it is for your good, but you are to pay it forward to others. There are people all around needing the same comfort you have received. Share what you have received. Their acknowledgment of a need is not an invitation for you to play “Can you top this?” 

        It is not the least bit comforting if when someone exposes a need you respond by telling them you have a bigger one. If they reveal an injury don’t reply that you had that same need only greater. Do assure them the doctor said of yours, “I have never in all my life ever seen anything like that.” Don’t dump on a needy person. Accent how the Lord comforted you. Emphasize His comfort not your consternation. Assure the needy person the same God who comforted you can comfort them.

        Biblically Barnabus, “the son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36) built up Paul and John Mark. You can do the same for others.

        You can only give to others what you have. Hope, love, mercy, grace, and assurance are qualities needed by most people who are carrying a burden.

        I collect little $100 flashlights. I have them all over the house. There is almost one within reach wherever I am. They have one common characteristic, not a one shines without a battery. Neither can you offer the comfort of the Lord unless you have it. Let “This Little Light of Mine” be your theme song.

        “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching”  (Hebrews 10: 24, 25).

        This does not mean we will always agree on all things. Unity doesn’t mean we always agree, but that we remain bonded in love and truth. It’s not about liking the same things, but loving the same Lord.

        The counsel to “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” is instruction to be involved in a church. One of the many intended functions of the church is to “edify” one another. In the word edify can be heard the word edifice, meaning a building. To edify a person is to build them up. The God of all comfort is the project Foreman.