TRUE COMFORT

2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4

Blessed be GOD, even the Father of our LORD JESUS Christ, the Father of mercies, and the GOD of all comfort, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which wee ourselves are comforted of GOD.

True comfort comes from GOD, the Father, through JESUS and by the Holy Spirit: the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter whom JESUS sent. The Holy Trinity is involved in the comfort of all those who suffer any kind of tribulation. You can't get anything better than the comfort of the Holy One.

What does "comfort" mean? It means encouragement; pulling along side another; to strengthen and to console.  True comfort means to encourage with the Word of JESUS; pull along side another in the Name of JESUS, giving a cup of water to a thirsty soul in the Name of JESUS; strengthen another with the Word of JESUS. 

In Prescott, Arizona there are many families who are in deep mourning over the death of 19 Hot- shot fire fighters. Sometimes, there are not words to say to a hurting soul, but the presence of GOD in the life of a Christian does more than a 1000 words.  Practice being present to another person.

Pastor Randy told a story of a neighbor child whose friend had just died.  She asked her mother if she could go next door to be with the mother of the friend.  When she came home, after an hour, her mother asked what she had said, she replied, "I just crawled up in her lap and we cried together".  This is JESUS comforting those who mourn with comfort without words. That child gave the gift of "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" All she did was hug and cry with the mother. This is the GOD of all comfort; comforting those who mourn.

Comfort ( com forte) means "with strength" so we impart strength to another when we give comfort in the time of trouble. The Comforter is the Holy Spirit of GOD working through a person.