Comfort It’s when the storm has left a trail of destruction and loss that it is greatly needed. There is an opportunity for it to be a huge help when the test comes back positive with that feared condition. Bondage to a harmful habit or condition requires it for there to be deliverance and freedom. Without comfort, the condition that seems to be so devastating in the moment can become indefinitely extended in its impact. It doesn’t just provide a sense of oblivion to the issue as if it never happened. What makes comfort incredibly welcome is when it turns the focus of the soul from the gloom and despair of the condition to a reason for gladness in cheer. For the storm comfort may be found in the news that all losses will be covered. Comfort turns the shock of a bad sickness report into a reason to be glad with an assurance that there is a proven treatment. That there is a way out is great comfort to the one bound in destructive behaviors. With comfort is an opportunity to take a new direction of successful resolution. At Jesus’ ministry launch, He stood up in the temple and read from Isaiah how He had been anointed to bring comfort and hope to all oppressed and afflicted. He didn’t just show up to provide an illusion of utopia. He would bring complete and verifiable transformation to wholeness and deliverance. His comfort didn’t just impact the physical and material, though. In Him there is a way to experience true freedom of spirit and soul right in the middle of a surrounding tempest. Those who receive His consolation and act according to its new way of life experience abundance that can only be found there in Him. Our world is spinning with a perfect storm of conditions that are in need of comfort. While there are endless attempts at providing comfort from worldly and unreliable sources, this task has been given to those who have experienced the Comforter and are living in His liberty. The fear of death and loss can only be comforted with revelation of eternal life found in Christ. Only in Him is there comfort without devastating consequences. Giving in to and conforming to deviance only leads to death and destruction, while walking in the light of His presence leads to victorious living in righteousness and holiness. There really is hope and a way to eternal life, but only in Him. Notes To comfort or be a comforter there must be: A sense of loss, bondage, hopelessness, fear, trouble, etc A credible source Willingness to receive Necessary adjustments To alleviate grief or sense of loss by providing strength, hope, direction, and provision - making things right that appear ominous, fearful and out-of-place. Comfort in repentance Isaiah 40:1-5 1 “Comfort, yes, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and tell her that her sad days are gone. Her sins are pardoned, and I have punished her in full for all her sins.” 3 Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, “Make a road for the Lord through the wilderness; make him a straight, smooth road through the desert. 4 Fill the valleys; level the hills; straighten out the crooked paths, and smooth off the rough spots in the road. 5 The glory of the Lord will be seen by all mankind together.” The Lord has spoken—it shall be. Jesus – the Comforter Luke 4:18 18 (18-19) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.” Holy Spirit – Comforter/Leader into Truth John 14:15-17 15 (15-16) “If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, for it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, for he lives with you now and some day shall be in you. In death – comfort of eternal life 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. Walk – in fear and comfort Acts 9:31 31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Comfort essential for Faith Hebrews 11:1 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. God’s promises provide 2 Corinthians 1:20 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Assurance of God’s promises Hebrews 6:17-18 (TLB) 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those he promised to help would be perfectly sure and never need to wonder whether he might change his plans. 18 He has given us both his promise and his oath, two things we can completely count on, for it is impossible for God to tell a lie. Now all those who flee to him to save them can take new courage when they hear such assurances from God; now they can know without doubt that he will give them the salvation he has promised them. Overview: Comfort provides hope and resolution when circumstances are discouraging and hopeless. A sense of despair, credible source of hope, receptive heart, and following of direction are necessary for comfort to be effective. Jesus was anointed to bring comfort to every area of need. He sent the Holy Spirit to provide a continual presence of revelation and direction in comfort. Eternal life is a continual source of comfort, especially in the loss of loved ones. Our success in the kingdom is dependent on the Holy Spirit’s comfort. Faith requires redirection to the hope in God’s way. In God’s promises there is assurance of His Word regarding all areas of need. Prayer: From the circumstances of life I turn to look on You and hear Your voice speaking comfort and hope to my spirit and soul. I welcome the direction from Your Word that awakens victory and triumph in every earthly situation with assurance of eternal life. Proclamations: I have heard and responded to the truth of God’s love in Christ, consecrating my life completely to the comfort I’ve found in Him. That pattern of turning to Him for hope and direction has taken over every aspect of my life. I welcome the Holy Spirit to completely fill with assurance of God’s presence and the knowledge of His will. There is a promise of God for every challenge of life that enables the power of faith as receive and act on its comfort. I am a walking representative of God’s amazing comfort, equipped as a messenger of its powerful truth.