Comfort Those Who Grieve

Introduction:

The Bible is a source of tremendous comfort to those who are grieving or suffering.  Listen to the following words of the Apostle Paul.  (II Corinthians 1:3-7)  He consoles us in our pain as we draw from His comfort and share it with others in pain.  There are always hurting hearts.

Body:

I. Jehovah Comforts Israel

· God’s people were in desperate need of hope and comfort.  They were in exile in a foreign land.  Their despair is depicted in Psalm 137:1-6.  They were homesick, brokenhearted, and tormented by their captors.

· More than a century before, the prophet Isaiah wrote words of comfort for God’s suffering people.  (Isaiah 40:1-2)

· God gives reasons for His comforts:  “battles are over” Jehovah provides the ultimate victory.  (Romans 8:37-38, I John 4:4) “iniquity is pardoned” Christ is the ultimate sacrifice.  (I Peter 2:24)

· Israel’s hope was grounded in their relationship with Jehovah God.

II. Jehovah Comforts Us

· Everyone goes through times of grief and despair.  Remember that God knows your situation.  He understands you completely.  One blessing He has left for us is His divine Word.  Scripture offers us comfort and hope.  Let’s look at some of these now.

· From the Book of Psalms

o Psalm 10:17-18 God hears and will do what is right.

o Psalm 18:6, 16  Picture of Jehovah plucking us out of a raging river

o Psalm 34:4-5, 18-19 We all have fears and afflictions.

o Psalm 37:28   Always remember that our God is just.  He will do what is right.

o Psalm 38:8-9, 15  Note the trust and confidence.

o Psalm 72:12  Have you ever felt that you had no helper?

o Psalm 116:5-7  The character of God

o Psalm 119:50  God’s promise is our comfort.

o Psalm 126:3-6  Remember all the times God has comforted us in the past.

o Psalm 145:17-19  We need to call upon Him in truth!

· From Other Old Testament Books

o Isaiah 54:10  Steadfast love – Covenant of peace – Compassion

o Lamentations 3:21-24  Steadfast love never ceases.

· From New Testament Books

o Matthew 5:4  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

o Luke 6:21  “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.”

o John 14:27  He gives as the world can’t.

o John 16:22, 33 We should focus on the fact that Jesus has overcome the world.

o II Corinthians 1:3-5  We are comforted so we can comfort others.

o Hebrews 4:16   Because Christ our High Priest suffered, He can sympathize with us.  Through Him we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.

o Hebrews 13:5-6  We can be confident God will never leave us!

 Conclusion:

Tada and Steve Estes write in their book When God Weeps, “Earth’s pain keeps crushing our hopes, reminding us this world can never satisfy; only heaven can.  And every time we begin to nestle too comfortably on this planet, God cracks open the locks of the dam to allow an ice-cold splash of suffering to wake us from our spiritual slumber.”  (p. 202)  Joni Eareckson

We all will grieve and suffer at various times.  Let us remember the wonderful resource we have at our fingertips.

 

Bobby Stafford 

March 3, 2013

 

 

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