The Comfort Of God - Bible Witness

The Comfort of Godjust appeared humanly that he had (cf. Psalm9:12; 37:28), as God never forsakes His own.When trials beset us, God’s Word says, “We aretroubled on every side, yet not distressed; weare perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted,but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”(2 Corinthians 4:8, 9). Likewise, the ApostlePaul had the blessed hope of the resurrectionand knew that although his outer man waswearing away, he had a daily renewing of theinner man because of salvation (2 Corinthians4:16-18). Although the Apostle Paul sufferedmuch (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), he continuedto trust in the Lord and was sustained byGod’s grace.Christians are to base the trials of life on truth,not on feelings (Philippians 4:1). Whether thetrials be from the world, Satan (the defeatedfoe) or God, Christians are to count it all joybecause of what God can accomplish, notbecause of the trials itself (James 1:2).Caution should be exercised with medications,because of the side effects and the maskingof the symptoms, allowing the root causes tobe ignored. During his depression, King Saulwas uplifted by music (1 Samuel 16:14-23).A spirit of praise and thanksgiving oftenenables a man to rise above the infirmities ofthe flesh (Proverbs 18:14). The Word of Godsays, “In every thing give thanks: for this is thewill of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20).ConclusionWe have a God who cares and comforts us.1 Peter 5:7 exhorts us, “Casting all your careupon him; for he careth for you.” Troubledhearts can find peace in Jesus Christ today, asHe begins a new work in a person at conversion(cf. Philippians 1:6), becoming new creatures(cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17), when the Holy Spirittakes up residence (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19), andGod’s great plan is embarked upon, finding joyin a troubled world. As believers are redeemedthrough Jesus Christ’s blood (Colossians 1:14;Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18,19), so they canrecognize that the present sufferings can beturned to His glory and the believers’ goodas they develop a stronger dependence uponGod and become more Christ-like (Hebrews12:11).Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that theeverlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of theearth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching ofhis understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to themthat have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youthsshall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterlyfall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew theirstrength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shallrun, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.Isaiah 40:28-31Bible Witness 17