Comfort is here

How often do you think of Jesus as Comfort? 

I know that we speak of the Holy Spirit as the 'comforter', but what about Jesus? As he reflects on the life of Christ, Bernard of Clairvaux writes:

"Comfort is here; help has come down from heaven. The kindness and humanity of God our Saviour have appeared. The kindness of God was always there, for the Lord's mercy is from everlasting; but it was hidden till the 'humanity' had appeared."

I think it is a beautiful picture of Jesus - not only is he the one who sends the 'comforter', but he is also Comfort.

"... who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Living in Grace

D3LM3

No comforter

It has been said that Mark Twain wrote so bitterly at times because he felt so deeply about things. I can't argue this point at all, but I do feel we could suggest the same for Solomon. As we move into chapter 4 we see that his writing continues to be filled with desperation. Even though he turns now to address issues on a society level, we clearly see his despair.

"Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:

I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter." - 4:1

It is interesting that he see that both the oppressor and the oppressed seem to have no one to comfort them. Initially I thought 'why should the oppressor have someone to comfort them?Surely, it is only the oppressed who need comfort?' But, then I was challenged by a Biblical commentator who suggested that the reason why the powerful oppress others is because the lack contentment and peace. They take their frustrations out on others - usually in a very destructive way.

Thankfully, Jesus offers to bring comfort to all people and to those who call on his name Jesus offers perfect peace.

John 14:16 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate (Comforter) to help you and be with you forever.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

'Sea of Troubles'

I love the Sea and so you can understand my frustration at being only a few kilometers away from the ocean and yet not being able to get there, or even smell it at this time. Lockdown has forced all of us into new spaces and needing to make sacrifices, although missing the ocean is really not a major crisis compared to the genuine needs of the majority of us.

It was Shakespeare who wrote of a 'sea of troubles' (in Hamlet) and this is pertinent for everyone at this time. One trouble ripples into the next one until we can feel overwhelmed by the vast ocean of trials. However, it is into this sea of trouble that we must remember some of the core promises that come to us in the Scriptures. Where there is a great need, there is always a great God who is willing to step into the void created by our troubles.

Turning to our focal reading for this week we note the following sentiment:

"O Israel, hope in the Lord; for he is loving and kind and comes to us with armloads of salvation. He himself shall ransom Israel from her slavery to sin." - Psalm 130:7-8 (Living Bible)

This picture tells us that where we are (and are found in our sea of troubles), so God is also present. Michael Wilcock writes:  

"With Yahweh are three constant companions, Forgiveness, Covenant Love, and Redemption. Wherever he is, there they too will be found. And the psalmist also is not alone: with him come the rest of his people, for they too may be redeemed..."

When you get a moment read Psalm 130 again and place yourself as the one who writes the Psalm. It is a wonderful way of speaking to God in prayer and remembering God's promise to come to our aid.

Living in Grace
D3LM3