Comfort, comfort, O My people
posted Thursday, August 11, 2005 :: 4:00 PM
We have been talking about the principle of taking comfort:
that is, rather than waiting for the Lord to twang us with His fairy
godmother wand with the feeling of comfort, to encourage our own souls
by speaking the truth from God’s word, and taking comfort in the truth.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Notice
that Paul here expects believers to be filled with joy and peace—which
are feelings—“in believing.” In believing the God of hope, the
believers abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And
there are more Scriptures which equate comfort and hope with believing
God’s word:
“This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life.” Psalm 119:50
“When I think of Your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.” Psalm 119:52
“Comfort, comfort My people, says Your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2
But comforting ourselves is not the end of God’s comfort …
to be continued …
Previously: The poetry of taking comfort
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Update: continued in Comfort as a mother comforts
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