For God
did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also
are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NKJV
Have
you ever needed a good hug? Although not
a hugger by nature, as a result of having a wife and three daughters I can
assure you I have been converted. The
comfort and reassurance we feel as a result of knowing someone cares about
whatever we might be experiencing is something we not only want, but often
search for in our time of need. Although
in this life there are many reasons we might need comfort, I believe it is
becoming more and more obvious, as we observe the direction this world is
heading, that many of us need the reassurance that we will be spared the
judgment we know is coming.
It
would seem from reading Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica that the
believers there were in need of comfort and reassurance just as many of us
might be today. This church was young,
having been founded by Paul after his release from prison in Philippi, and like
many churches was beginning to suffer persecution by unbelievers. Along with that came pressure to conform to
the pagan sexual beliefs that were prevalent in the city. The new believers in
Thessalonica stood out from the majority because of their decision to life a
life of purity according to God’s Word.
Yet from the tone of the letter, it would appear that Paul was concerned
that they needed some comfort and reassurance to remain faithful to what they
had been taught.
For you
remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we
might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You
are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved
ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted,
and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would
walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NKJV
The
first thing Paul does is remind the believers at Thessalonica of how he
comforted them while he was there, much like a father comforting his own
children. Just as a child naturally runs
to his parents for comfort, as believers, we will find our comfort from our
heavenly Father. Yet what is important
about Paul’s words can be found in verse eleven where he tells us that it is
our responsibility to comfort others just as we are comforted by our
Father. So often we are only concerned
with our own comfort while not realizing that many believers around us are
suffering from the same anxiety as a result of the times we are living in and
are in need of comfort as well.
One
of the signs we are told to watch for which herald the return of Jesus for His
Church is the increase in persecution members of the body will suffer. While most of us would tend to focus on
governmental persecution of the organized church, we should all be aware that
individual persecution by those who disagree with our beliefs is even more
prevalent as we approach the end of our time on this earth. Every week I read stories of persecution and
suffering being visited upon true believers, not only from strangers, but from
friends and family as well. As painful
as it is to contemplate, Satan will use anyone and anything, even those closest
to us, to attack the faithful as we approach the rapture of the Church.
Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God
of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves
are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians
1:3-4 NKJV
Obviously
what Paul makes clear is that the source of our comfort comes from God the
Father, and we are responsible to pass that comfort along to others around us
who are also in need. Yet now that we
know the source of our comfort, and the responsibility which comes with it,
what do we know about the nature of that comfort? As believers, is there a certain type of
reassurance which we can use which we find is more effective than the sort of
comfort the world might have to offer?
Again Paul comes to our rescue by telling the Thessalonians, and us as
well, exactly what we need to hear to find comfort in the difficult times we
find ourselves living in today.
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.
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.
Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV
Does
the knowledge that you will spend eternity with God the Father in Heaven give
you comfort? Have you ever considered
that the key to finding comfort in this world is to focus on the destination
rather than the journey? I recall taking a trip with my daughters one time
where we flew to Southern California to visit my family, along with plans to
take in all of the attractions we could in one week’s time. Unfortunately the flight itself was an
adventure by virtue of turbulence which none of them found exciting to say the
least. As they looked to me for comfort,
I tried my best to deal with their anxiety by focusing on what we were going to
do when we got there, and the fun we were going to have spending all of Dad’s
money. Fortunately for all of us, it
actually worked.
Are
you looking forward to the rapture of the Church? Have you given thought to what life with
Jesus will be like? Do you see the signs
all around us and believe it is near?
Are you watching for His return and giving comfort to others by sharing
the news of His coming for us? God
understands our need for comfort, so He has given us signs to watch for so we
will know the time is near. He has given
us His Word, with the promise of our deliverance from our present troubles as
well as a description of what we can look forward to when we get to our final
destination. To me, this is the comforting hug I so often need from my Heavenly
Father.
This
is where I find my comfort in these distressing times, and I hope by sharing
these words with you that you will also find comfort. If you have never made the decision to accept
the salvation offered by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, I suggest you do that today so you too can experience the comfort
that comes from knowing you will spend eternity with our Father in Heaven. All you need to do is simply pray a prayer
like this and ask God the Father to make you one of His own.
Jesus I know I
am a sinner. I have sinned against you, but I know you loved me enough to send
your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins and then rise from the dead so that I
may live forever with You. Lord forgive me of my sins and come into my life and
help me to begin to live for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
By
doing so, you will have the assurance and promise from the God of this universe
that you are saved from the judgment to come, and that He will be with you in
your time of need. Then you too can pass
along to others the comfort which comes from knowing He is coming soon to take
us home.
This is
my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. Psalms 119:50 NKJV
Keep
watching.
