Comfort
1. THE LORD WILL HELP & COMFORT YOU:
A. His promises of comfort:
Psa.71:21 – Thou shalt…comfort me on every side
Psa.86:17 – Thou, Lord, hast holpen me, & comforted me
Psa.91:15 – I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him
Psa.116:6 – I was brought low, & He helped me
Psa.138:7a – Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me
Isa.42:6 – I the Lord…will hold thine hand, & will keep thee
Isa.43:2 – When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee
Isa.49:13 – The Lord hath comforted His people, & will have mercy upon His afflicted
Isa.51:12,13 – I, even I, am He that comforteth you
Isa.66:13 – As one his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you
Jn.14:18 – I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you
Jn.14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled: believe…in Me
2Cor.1:3 – Blessed be God…the Father of mercies, & the God of all comfort
2Cor.7:6 – God…comforteth those that are cast down
2Thes.2:16,17 – Our Lord Jesus Christ…which hath loved us, & given us everlasting consolation…comfort your hearts
(See also Psa.103:6; Phi.2:1,2.)
B. The Lord is always with you to comfort you:
Psa.121:4 – He that keepeth [thee] shall neither slumber nor sleep
2Cor.1:4 – (He) comforteth us in all our tribulation
C. The Holy Spirit, the “Comforter”, will comfort you:
Jn.14:26 – The Comforter…is the Holy Ghost
Jn.15:26 – The Comforter…Whom I will send unto you from (God)
Jn.14:16,17 – (God) shall give you a Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit…shall be in you
Acts 9:31 – Then had the churches rest…in the comfort of the Holy Ghost
2. HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S COMFORT:
A. Pray & ask for His help:
2Chr.15:4 – When they in their trouble…sought (God), He was found of them
Psa.34:17 – The righteous cry, & the Lord heareth, & delivereth them out of all their troubles
Psa.86:7 – In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me
Psa.119:76 – Let, I pray, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort
Psa.145:18,19 – The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him
Phi.4:6,7 – By prayer…let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God…shall keep your hearts
Heb.4:16 – Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, & find grace to help in time of need
B. Examples of King David’s prayers seeking comfort:
(See Psa.31:9-12; 38:9; 51:all; 69:1,2; 102:1-7.)
C. Read & meditate on God’s Word:
Psa.119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened me
Rom.15:4 – (Word) written…that we through patience & comfort of the Scriptures might have hope
D. Stay obedient & close to Him:
Jn.8:29 – The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him
Psa.103:17,18 – The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him
E. Continue trusting & have patience:
Gen.28:15 – [God tells Jacob:] I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of
Psa.42:3-11 – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him
Psa.119:81-83 – I hope in Thy Word. When wilt Thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke
Heb.10:35,36a – Cast not away…your confidence…ye have need of patience, that, after…ye might receive the promise
F. Remind yourself of God’s past miracles & mercies:
Psa.77:1-12 – My spirit was over whelmed… This is my infirmity: but I will remember the works of the Lord
Psa.119:52 – I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord; & have comforted myself
G. Encourage & remind yourself of God’s faithfulness:
1Sam.30:6 – David was greatly distressed…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God
H. Remember, God will never forsake you…
Isa.49:14,15,16 – [They] said, The Lord hath forsaken me, & forgotten me. Yet will I not forget thee
Psa.31:22 – I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Thine eyes: [but] Thou heardest…when I cried unto Thee
Psa.9:9,10 – They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee
Mat.28:20b – I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world
2Tim.2:13 – [Even] if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful
Heb.13:5 – I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee
(See also Isa.54:10)
I….Unless you grievously rebel & forsake Him:
2Chr.15:2 – The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him…but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you(1Chr.28:9)
J. Even then, He will not permanently forsake you:
Isa.54:7,8 – For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee
K. Trust & completely commit yourself into His hands:
Rom.8:28 – All things work…for good to them that love God
1Pet.4:19 – Let them that suffer…commit the keeping of their souls to Him…as unto a faithful Creator
L. He will keep you:
2Tim.1:12b – (I) am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him
Psa.23:4 – Thy rod & Thy staff they comfort [& protect] me
Psa.37:5 – Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him
Psa.55:22 – Cast thy burden upon the Lord, & He shall sustain thee
Psa.138:8 – The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me
Phi.1:6 – He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ
1Thes.5:24 – Faithful is He that calleth you, Who…will do it
1Pet.5:7 – Casting all your care on Him; for He careth for you
3. GOD LOVES YOU & CARES FOR YOU:
A. He knows every tear you’ve shed:
2Ki.20:5 – I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears
Psa.56:8 – Put my tears in Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book? (See also Mk.9:24)
B. He knows exactly what you’re experiencing:
Exo.3:7 – I have seen the affliction of My people…& have heard their cry…I know their sorrows
Psa.103:13,14 – The Lord pitieth (us)…for He knoweth our frame
Isa.53:4 – He hath borne our griefs, & carried our sorrows
Isa.63:9 – In all their affliction He was afflicted
Heb.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 & comforts:
Psa.30:5 – His anger endureth but a moment…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning
Psa.71:20 – Thou, which hast showed me great & sore troubles, shalt quicken (make alive) me again
Psa.103:9 – He will not always chide; neither…keep His anger forever
Isa.12:1 – Though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, & Thou comfortedst me
Lam.3:31-33 – Though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion
(See also Hos.6:1-3)
4. GOD’S LOVING HANDS UPHOLD YOU:
A. His hands are always there, supporting you:
Deut.33:27 – Underneath are the everlasting arms
Psa.145:14 – The Lord upholdeth all that fall, & raiseth up all those that be bowed down
Psa.37:17 – The Lord upholdeth the righteous
Psa.37:24 – Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand
Isa.41:10 – I am with thee: be not dismayed; I will uphold thee with (My) right hand
Isa.63:9 – In His love & pity He…bare them, & carried them
B….Even in distant lands & lonesome situations:
Psa.139:8b – If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there
Psa.139:9-12 – If I…dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand…hold me
Mat.28:20b – I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world
5. IF YOU FEEL YOU’RE IN THE DARK, TRUST IN GOD FOR LIGHT:
Isa.50:10 – Who is among you…that walketh in darkness, & hath no light? let him trust in the Lord
Isa.42:16 – I will make darkness light before them, &…not forsake them
Psa.18:28 – The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness
Psa.112:4 – Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, & full of compassion
Mic.7:8b – When I sit in darkness, Lord shall be a light unto me
(See also Isa.58:10,11)
6. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE:
A. You’re blessed, so be joyful & happy:
Mat.5:10-12 – Blessed are ye, when men shall revile & persecute you. Rejoice & be exceeding glad
Jn.16:33 – In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
2Cor.7:4b – I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation
Phi.4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord alway: & again I say, Rejoice
1Pet.4:12,13 – Rejoice…ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings
B. Happy days will come again:
Isa.51:11,12a – The redeemed of the Lord shall…obtain gladness & joy; & sorrow & mourning shall flee away
1Thes.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 Isa.40:2; 52:9; 57:16-18; Jer.31:12-14; Zech.1:12-17.)
C. Sorrow will soon be gone:
Job 11:16 – Thou shalt forget thy misery, & remember it as waters that pass away
Psa.30:5 – Weeping may endure a night, but joy cometh in morning
Psa.30:11 – Thou put off my sackcloth, & girded me with gladness
Isa.49:13 – Sing…be joyful…break forth into singing: for the Lord hath comforted His people…His afflicted
Isa.54:11 – O thou afflicted…& not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours
D. Think about & be thankful for His comforts:
Psa.94:19 – In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul
E. We are blessed; most un saved people have no comforter:
Eccl.4:1 – Behold the tears of such as were oppressed, & they had no comforter
7. WHY & HOW TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER:
A. Sometimes you need the help of others:
Jer.8:18 – When I would comfort myself…my heart is faint
2Cor.2:7 – Ye ought…to comfort him, lest (he) be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow
(See also Eccl.4:9,10,12)
B. We should comfort one another:
Gen.37:34,35a – And all his (Jacob’s) sons & daughters rose up to comfort him (See also 1Chr.7:22; Job 2:11.)
Isa.40:1 – Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God
Isa.61:1,2 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…comfort all that mourn
Isa.61:3 – Give unto them beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for spirit of heaviness
1Cor.12:25 – In the body…the members should have the same care one for another
2Cor.2:8 – I beseech you that ye confirm your love toward him
2Cor.7:6 – God…comforted us by the coming of Titus [a fellowlabourer] (See also Eph.6:22; Col.4:7,8; 1Thes.3:2.)
2Cor.7:13 – We were comforted…(Titus’) spirit was refreshed by you
Gal.6:2 – Bear ye one another’s burdens, & so fulfill the law of Christ
Col.2:2 – Hearts…comforted, being knit together in love
Col.4:11 – My fellow-workers…which have been a comfort unto me
1Thes.5:11 – Comfort yourselves together, & edify one another
1Thes.5:14 – Comfort the feebleminded (fainthearted, timid)
C. How to comfort others:
Gen.50:21b – (Joseph) comforted them, & spake kindly unto them
Ruth 2:13 – Thou hast comforted me…thou hast spoken (kindly)
Pro.17:22a – A merry heart doeth good like a medicine
Pro.27:9 – Ointment & perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel
1Thes.2:11 – We…comforted…you, as a father doth his children
Rom.12:15b – Weep with them that weep
D. Use your own experiences to comfort them:
2Cor.1:4 – That we may be able to comfort (others) in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God
Psa.66:12,16 – I will declare what He hath done for my soul
E. The comforting, consoling power of inspired music:
Psa.32:7 – Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance
Psa.42:5-8 – My soul is cast down within me…yet…in the night His song shall be with me
1Sam.16:14-16 – An evil spirit…troubleth thee. [A musician] shall play… & thou shalt be well (See also vs. 23)
Pro.25:20 – [Caution: Make sure you sing fitting songs]
F. Encouraging words of prophecy are a comfort:
1Cor.14:3 – He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to…comfort
G. When words fail, just being there is a help:
Job 2:13 – They sat down with him…& none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great
Col.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 ABANDONED, SUFFERING HEARTBREAK OR LOSS:
A. Even when all others leave you, you’ll always have the Lord:
2Tim.4:16,17 – All men forsook me…notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, & strengthened me
Psa.27:10 – When father & mother forsake me, Lord will take me up
Psa.34:22 – None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate
Psa.142:4,5 – Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul. Thou art my refuge & my portion in the land of the living
Isa.54:1,5,6 – The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken & grieved in spirit…when thou wast refused
Isa.54:10 – The mountains shall depart…but My kindness shall not depart from thee
Heb.13:5 – He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee
B. His special care for the brokenhearted:
Psa.34:18 – The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart
Psa.51:17 – A broken & a contrite heart…Thou wilt not despise
Psa.61:2 – When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I
Psa.147:3 – He healeth the broken in heart, & bindeth up their wounds
Ezk.34:16 – I…will bind up that which was broken
Isa.61:1 – He hath sent Me (Jesus) to bind up the brokenhearted
Lk.4:18 – He hath sent Me (Jesus) to heal the brokenhearted
(See also Isa.57:15)
C. When suffering bereavement over the loss of a loved one:
2Sam.12:15-23 – [When David's sick child died, he stopped fasting & weeping, saying:] I shall go to him [in Heaven]
1Cor.15:17-21 – [Jesus is raised from the dead, therefore our loved ones also live, & we are not to be miserable]
1Thes.4:13 – Concerning them which are asleep (departed)…sorrow not, as others which have no hope
1Thes.4:14-18 – The dead in Christ shall rise…we shall be… with them… comfort one another with these words
D. It is much better for them to be with the Lord:
2Cor.5:8 – We are…willing rather to be absent from the body, & to be present with the Lord
Phi.1:23 – Desire to depart…to be with Christ…is far better
Rev.7:16,17 – [The happiness of our departed loved ones in Heaven]
E. When suffering remorse over mistakes or sins:
(See Psa.31:9-24; 38:1-22; 51:all; Lam.1:20a; Lk.18:13,14; 2Cor.2:6-8. Also compare Mat.26:69-75; Mk.16:6,7.)
9. HEAVENLY CONSOLATION FOR PRESENT SUFFERING & SORROW:
A. Comforted by Heavenly rewards:
Psa.37:9 – Those that wait on the Lord, shall inherit the earth
Mat.5:4 – Blessed are they that mourn…they shall be comforted
Lk.6:21 – Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh
Lk.12:32 – Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (See also Mat.25:34)
Lk.16:19-22a – [The suffering beggar Lazarus] carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom
Jn.16:20 – Ye shall weep & lament…& ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy
Rom.8:18 – The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory (Heavenly reward)
2Cor.4:17 – Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us…(an) eternal weight of glory
2Cor.1:7 – As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation
2Tim.2:12 – If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him
B. There will be no more sorrow or tears in Heaven:
Isa.25:8 – He will swallow up death in victory; & the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces
Rev.21:4 – God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; & there shall be no more…sorrow, nor crying (See also 7:17)
19. Comfort, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International