Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye ∙∙∙

Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye ∙∙∙

“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. – Isaiah 40:1

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Skid Row: A Place of Hardship and Hope

Skid Row describes an urban area characterized by homelessness, poverty, and urban decay. The term originated in the late 1800s, referring to areas near lumber mills where logs were “skidded” and where homeless people and vagrants often gathered. Over time, it came to refer to neighborhoods with large numbers of people facing severe hardship.

In the 21st century, Skid Row in Los Angeles has become emblematic of urban poverty. This 54-block area in downtown Los Angeles is home to the largest homeless population in the United States. Though precise counts of the number of individuals living there may vary, the reality is unmistakable: the streets are permeated with squalor, poverty, and a palpable sense of despair.

A Historic Performance of Hope

In December 2015, a remarkable event brought light to the heart of Skid Row. Handel’s renowned oratorio, The Messiah, was performed at the Midnight Mission, a shelter and service provider for the homeless. This marked the first time Handel’s masterpiece was presented in the U.S. homeless capital. The performance featured musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other local orchestras, along with chorus members, including some who had once been homeless themselves.

This event was deeply symbolic, aligning with the original intent of George Frideric Handel. When Charles Jennens sent Handel the libretto for The Messiah, the text was drawn from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Handel composed the oratorio in just 24 days, completing the Christmas section in only six days. Its debut in April 1742 was a charity benefit concert, setting a precedent for using the work to uplift and support those in need.

By 1750, Handel began annual performances of The Messiah at London’s Foundling Hospital, which cared for abandoned children. These performances featured a chorus of children, many of whom were blind, adding profound meaning to the words, “Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened.” The earliest performances of The Messiah were often held in unconventional venues, suggesting that its themes of hope and redemption resonate most deeply in places like Skid Row, where the need for comfort and renewal is greatest (Brian Lauritzen, Spectrummagazine.org).

The Father’s Call to Comfort

Offering comfort to others is a sacred responsibility entrusted by the Father to His children. As His under-shepherds, caretakers, and coworkers, we are called to extend His love and compassion to those in need. But what prepares us to fulfill this role? The answer lies in a single, often difficult word: suffering.

Suffering is a refining process that equips us to comfort others. During times of hardship, it is natural to question the Father’s purpose. Yet, these experiences are not without meaning. They prepare us to serve as vessels of His comfort, offering solace to those who are hurting.

The Father is in the business of comfort, and He invites His children to join Him in this divine work. He offers each of us a role in His family business, equipping us to represent Him as we care for others. While we may resist this calling at times, the Father patiently prepares us, often through our own trials and struggles.

The Transformative Power of Suffering

A profound truth often overlooked is that through our suffering, we receive direct comfort from the Father. This personal experience of His solace teaches us how to comfort others. As He lifts our burdens, we become better equipped to help carry those of others.

Our natural instincts often drive us to protect ourselves, which can lead to criticism or judgment. However, the Father knows how to soften these rough edges, transforming us into compassionate and empathetic servants. Through the refining trials of life, He breaks down our defenses, enabling us to shed the harshness in our interactions and replace it with genuine concern for others. As Stanford notes, no devoted servant of God escapes the fiery refining trials of life.

REFLECT & PRAY

Countless times, my Father has seen my struggles and pain and offered His comfort. Through this, He has been preparing me to comfort others.

Father, merciful and compassionate, You truly are the God of all comfort. You have given me the strength to endure the most challenging trials. Thank You for enveloping me in Your loving embrace and gently assuring me, “I am here for you, and everything will be okay.”

INSIGHT

The Father of Mercies and the God of All Comfort

When trials and hardships strike, we can rest assured that God will come to our aid. Why? Because it is His very nature. He is described as “the Father of mercies” and “the God of all comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Through suffering and the comfort that God provides, we gain the wisdom, strength, and ability to extend that same comfort to others. This divine process transforms our pain into a source of healing for those around us.

The Purpose of Suffering: Strength Through Comfort

Suffering serves a significant purpose in our lives. Through our trials, we receive the Father’s direct and personal comfort. This comfort transcends mere sympathy; it strengthens us, empowering us to confront our challenges and emerge victorious.

The term “comfort” in English derives from the Latin words con, meaning “with,” and fortare, meaning “to strengthen,” which together imply “with strength.” Similarly, the Greek term translated as “comfort” is paraklesis. Paraklesis means “to come alongside and help,” highlighting the active, transformative nature of God’s comfort. This form of comfort is not passive; instead, it equips us to endure and ultimately overcome adversity.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Paul emphasizes the communal and personal aspects of this divine comfort, frequently using plural pronouns like “we,” “us,” and “our.” Paul does not present himself as a distant observer; instead, he speaks from experience, having faced profound suffering and emerged fortified. His words convey intimacy and relatability, as though he is sitting beside us, offering wisdom and encouragement. Paul acknowledges our pain without minimizing it, guiding us through our struggles.

Paul’s Testimony: Triumph Over Trials

Paul’s personal experiences with suffering and comfort exemplify resilience and purpose. He did not merely endure his hardships; he triumphed over them, drawing strength from his faith. In 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, the repetition of terms like “comfort” and “consolation” underscores the central theme of God’s sustaining power.

Furthermore, this comfort is not meant to be hoarded but shared. Paul illustrates that the consolation we receive from God empowers us to extend comfort to others in their times of distress. This reciprocal cycle of receiving and offering comfort embodies the Father’s plan for His children to fortify and uplift one another.

The Transformative Power of Suffering

Suffering refines us, softening our hearts and increasing our compassion for others. J. M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, recounts how his mother’s grief over losing her beloved son gave her “soft eyes” that drew other grieving mothers to her. Her suffering became a source of solace for others, as she could empathize with their pain in a way only someone who had experienced similar loss could.

This principle is reflected in the Father’s work in our lives. Through our trials, He shapes us into vessels of His comfort, enabling us to minister to others with genuine empathy and understanding. As Barclay notes, suffering often helps us connect with others on a deeper level, giving them the strength and hope they need to persevere.

God’s Comfort: A Call to Action

This divine process transforms our pain into purpose, allowing us to participate in His work of healing and restoration.

As Wiersbe explains, God’s comfort is not about removing our trials but about empowering us to face them. It is a reminder that we are never alone. He comes alongside us, offering His strength and presence in our darkest moments.

Through suffering, we experience the Father’s personal and transformative comfort. This equips us to comfort others, creating a cycle of healing and strength that reflects His love and mercy. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, the comfort we receive is not just for ourselves but for the benefit of others, enabling us to share in the Father’s work of restoration and hope.

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© Dr. H 2026