Week 47:
Topic: It is Time, You will be comforted – Part 3
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1: 1-6
This study will continue with the directives of the Lord about comforting other people.
Comfort Other People
People of the Lord, it is our duty to comfort other people during our afflictive period so that we ourselves will be comforted by the Lord.
Most people always neglect or ignore others during their afflictive period because of the distress/grief/agony that they are passing through. This is a wrong attitude, therefore be considerate and comfort others during your discomfort period.
God comforts the downcast: I want us to know that it is only God and not the darkness that can comfort the discouraged people. Though God will not come down from His heavenly throne, but He can use humans like you or any of His creations.
God comforts you to set an example that you too need to comfort other people. It is your duty to comfort others that are afflicted 2 Corinthians 7: 6.
Comfort the afflicted: If the Spirit of the Lord is dwelling in your life, then it is your obligation to comfort other people. Most people are usually engrossed in their situations and their agony will make them to think that they need to be comforted instead of comforting people who need their assistance. No matter the magnitude of your distress you have to comfort others in order to be comforted by the Lord. Isaiah 61: 1-2
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation/troubles, that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4. Do not be absorbed completely by your condition in manners that will make you to forget/ignore other people and their troubles, since it is your duty to give them the same comfort that God has given you when you are in distress.
Comfort and edify one another: Comforting each other is not enough; therefore we must edify the faith of one another. We that are already doing this must continue to encourage one another and take necessary steps to edify the faith of others so that people who are ignorant of this directive will follow suit. 1 Thessalonians 5: 11
Conducts During the Period of Affliction
Abstain from Sin: If you are in agony/distress this is not an excuse for you to fall into sin or disobey the statues of the Lord because you cannot continue in sin and expect the grace of the Lord to increase/multiply in your life. Romans 6: 1.
Fear the Lord: Ask whatever you want from the Lord with faith and boldness. In addition do not be afraid of humans, but fear God. Since it is God who comforts you, then do not displease Him to please human. Isaiah 51: 12
Confess the words of the Lord: Let the word of the Lord be your comfort during your afflictive period, despite your pain continue to rejoice in the Lord. Also continue to confess publicly that the words of the Holy One is powerful and it can deliver one from their troubles Job 6: 10. I remember the Yoruba song which says “Nigba isoro tabi lojo idera e mayo niwaju Oluwa gegebi onigbagbo ododo”. The interpretation is “during the turbulent period and when you are comfortable, be rejoicing before the Lord like a righteous Christian”. For this reason do not allow your affliction to make you to conceal the Word of God but declare/proclaim it openly.
Put Your hope in the word and the law: If you put your hope in the word of the Lord, it will renew your life and comfort you in your suffering. If you want to be comforted in all your troubles then you must depend on the Word of the Lord that has the capability to revive you or give you life Psalm 119: 50
People that did not forget the statues of the Lord are blessed, and they will be comforted. Let it be known that every soul that kept the ordinances/laws of the Lord, it will guide, guard and comfort them Psalm 119: 52.
Beware of falsehood: Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing during your afflictive period because they may come to you and pretend to be comforting you. You will identify them by the word of their mouths. They will be comforting you with empty words that are misleading and if you are vigilant you will notice that everything they are saying is false Job 21: 34. Be careful so that you will not be led astray by pretenders who will come with futile words that cannot comfort you but are full of lies.
Wait upon the Lord: Christians no matter what is happening in our lives, let us wait upon our Lord Jesus Christ to resolve it because whoever waits on Him will never inherit nothing. The Bible stated that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint Isaiah 40: 31.
Do not seek the assistance of the darkness: It is an abomination for the children of light to mingle with the darkness because there is no fellowship between the light and darkness. For this reason, whatever you are going through, do not seek the assistance of mediums or consult those with the familiar spirits including the palm readers, fortune tellers, clairvoyants, psychics etc. so that you will be comforted and not defile yourself Leviticus 19: 31.
Do not be angry at the Lord: You must know that it is not the Lord that afflicts you, but He only permits it to happen because of one reason or the other.
Many people ruin their lives by their own foolishness, and then they will be angry at the Lord and blame Him for their misfortunes Proverbs 19: 3. Since the Bible confirms that Satan is the tempter, be wise during your afflictive period so that you will be comforted. Also remember that God is displeased with your condition, therefore do not allow foolish acts to twist your way and make your heart to fret/rage/upset with against the Lord.
Do not argue/quarrel with your Creator: Whatever the circumstance do not argue or quarrel with your Creator. No matter the level of your discomfort do not insult the Lord or verbally abuse His Holy name. The scripture says, “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with potsherd of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ’He has no hands?’ ” Isaiah 45: 9. If you want to be comforted, then do not query or question the Lord concerning your condition else you’ll become accursed.