My daughter has Irish twins, that is, she gave birth to two babies less than a year apart; her’s are eleven months apart. They are such a blessing to her family and to the grandparents. Of course, many times the “twins” both need to be comforted at the same time but for different reasons; one has a skinned knee, and the other is sleepy. They have different needs, but they need the same comforter.
We that have put in our faith in Jesus also have different needs at the same time and at different times, but we all need the same comforter. In Isaiah 51:12 the LORD tells us, “I, even I, am he who comforts you….” Jesus gives us further guidance in John 14:26 (AMP), “...But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
I don’t think it’s possible to read the Bible and not know that God loves us, provides for us, heals us, cares for us, and has prepared an eternal home for us. These are all accessible to us if we enter the kingdom of God through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords.
If there were no problems, no hurts, no pains then there would be no need for comfort, but that’s not the world in which we live. The singer, songwriter, and pastor Andrae Crouch said it this way, “If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve them. I wouldn’t know what faith in God’s Word could do.”
We live in a harsh world, but be full of courage and stand firm for it is the one true God who comforts, defends, and provides for us when we let go of faith in worldly powers and by faith appropriate God’s promises in His word.
I do want to provide a few words of caution that we find in the Bible. The first one is found in Mark 11:24-25, where Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” and in James 4:3 where we find: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” So, if you want God’s comfort then behave like God’s child.
I want to challenge you to not only seek comfort but to also give comfort. I know I said what some of you feared the most. However, there’s no reason to worry if these opportunities come from the same God that comforts you. In fact, I have a place for you to start.
When you are at a fast food drive-thru window bless the person working there. You’ve got 10 to 15 second. Don’t start a conversation for there’s not enough time for that. Don’t attack them for poor service. If it’s true, tell them you like their uniform or thank them for their help. If this fast food stop is part of your routine, you’ll probably see them regularly. Let them know you recognize them, learn their name, and say their name when they are helping you. Let them know you appreciate them. Comfort goes both ways.