That’s certainly not only a biblical concept, but it certainly should be a concept known of the Christian church. It’s not hard to console a child, family member or friend who are in the throws of heartache, but what about the community around us? I pondered one day the number of people I knew, not necessarily good friends, although many were, but the number of random people that I knew were going through a major struggle: death of a loved one, financial hardship, health issues, loneliness, prodigal child, Mr. & Mrs. issues, and the list could go on forever. If you’re on this earth, there will come a day when you will have issues, it’s just a given.
Some People Were Born to Comfort
Genesis 5:26-29
26 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: 27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. 28 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: 29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
Today’s human lifespan is far shorter than in the days of Methuselah. Can you imagine how much you would have witnessed living 969 years! Methuselah’s son Lamech lived 182 years and became the father of Noah. Imagine diaper duty at 182? The older we get, and the more we experience, the more we realize that old age is not for sissies.
Noah is a bible character that even those who have never read the Bible have probably heard of. Noah’s ark is quite the story; but not just a story, it’s history. And it’s His Story. A God ordained event that would prophesy of the coming Messiah. The story of the man named Noah, whose name meant “comforter” would lead into the greatest story of all, Jesus Christ, “The Comforter.”
The Lord had cursed the ground upon the fall of Adam. The paradise Adam and Eve were created into would no longer be paradise, but have thorny ground and fearful times ahead because they disobeyed God. Their son, Cain, was a murderer. Only one second generation into life and we’re already a crime scene. It’s far worse now and it’s why if you know a person who is your comforter, you know the value of that person.
Noah was born to be a comforter. Were you? I won’t say that I was born for that purpose but I try to love on people every chance I get. My husband David, who can be a comforter, also has the ability to tear you a new one if you’ve messed up. He has no tolerance for stupid people and even less for corrupt politicians. Most people are somewhere in between, and many people to the point of apathy for anyone other than immediate family.
As for the church we are without excuse, (having the Lord Jesus Christ living inside of us,) for not being a comforter. It may not come easy, but it should come when you see a person going through hard times. We should make it a point to do our best to console someone rather than criticize or condemn. It’s easy to look at someone who threw their money away and later faces bankruptcy and say to them, “You did this to yourself.” The same is true with health when an alcoholic, drug addict or food addict faces a life altering illness because of their decisions. But is not the consequences of their actions bad enough without the “I told you so” from a well intentioned Christian? Yes, I meant that sarcastically.
Whether or not we were born to be a comforter, we should be a comforter in this terrible world we live in.
The Word of God is a Comfort
Psalm 23:4 KJV
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Commentary says “Not the rod of afflictions and chastisements, which is the sense of some Jewish as well as Christian interpreters; though these are in love, and the saints have often much consolation under them; but these are designed by the valley of the shadow of death, and cannot have a place here, but rather the rod of the word, called the rod of Christ’s strength, and the staff of the promises and the provisions of God’s house, the whole staff and stay of bread and water, which are sure unto the saints, and refresh and comfort them.
When I got saved in 1996, I was in the midst of a rocky marriage, raising children, and tough times financially. Though raised in a Christian home and going to church, I did not know Christ as my Savior. But after hearing the word of God by a soul stirring preacher I knew I knew Jesus! And the word of God suddenly became my addiction. Because every time I opened it, the comfort I received filled me with joy even though much of the heartache was still there. I just knew I was going to be okay.
Comfort One Another With “These” Words
God’s specific command for the children of God to comfort one another in this evil world.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Thessalonians at this period in time were believing that anyone who had already died were not going to experience the second coming of Christ, known as the rapture. The Apostle Paul was correcting this false doctrine by telling them that when Jesus Christ returns, all who have died before would be caught up into heaven also. While the Spirit was already in the presence of God for a saved person upon death, the body will be resurrected from the ground upon Jesus’ return. I’d advise you not to hang out in cemeteries for too long in this day and age. And for those of us who have experienced the salvation of knowing who Jesus Christ is, we are instructed to comfort one another with these words.
There’s a few movies that have been made regarding the rapture, one series was the “Left Behind” series, which I won’t comment on the biblical correctness, only to say that as a new Christian it gave me a lot to think about with regards to Jesus’ return. Mainly, what would happen to my friends and family who did not know Christ as Savior, and the need for me to do more to see them saved. But in addition to that, I need to comfort people as best I can, and I can think of no better way than telling you in this time of wars, rumors of wars and wickedness not imagined by our grandparents, there is a place of comfort. Even when people let you down, you can find comfort through the word of God and in the Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you know Him, and if you don’t and you’d like to, send me a message, I’d love to tell you about Him!
