No comfort ?

Sunday 22 August 2021

No comfort ?

I turned, and looked at all the oppressions that go on under the sun ; and behold the tears of the oppressed, and there is no comfort to them ! And strength is in the hand of their oppressors, and there is no comfort for them ! Ecclesiastes 4:1

Solomon, who did not have the information we are inundated with, already knew that within the limits of his kingdom and far beyond oppressions were rife. I turned..., he said ; he had the courage to look outside his palace, the wealth of which could have blinded him. This gaze allows him to see the immense suffering, physical or moral, which reigns in the world.

It is not in our power to eliminate suffering. On the other hand, it is on us Christians who have the duty to heal wounds and bring some comfort to broken hearts.

What positive examples do we find in the Word of God ?

Joseph comforts his brothers and speaks to their hearts (Genesis 50:21). True forgiveness allowed Joseph to erase the offense. On the other hand, his brothers did not understand the nature of true love. Their repentance, though sincere, still harbored the bitterness of remorse. They needed consolation to bring them to the level of genuine love.

Boaz is very kind to Ruth, the stranger. It is not enough for him to give him help and protection. He speaks to his heart ; this is how real comfort is (Ruth 2:13).

Titus consoled the apostle Paul at a time in his life when he was burdened with a heavy burden concerning the assembly in Corinth: God, who comforts those who are downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6)

Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus called Righteous, fellow workers of the apostle Paul, also consoled him on various occasions (Colossians 4:10,11).

Onesiphorus very carefully sought out Paul, then a prisoner and abandoned by all, to show him much affection : He often comforted me (2 Timothy 1:16).

Divine consolation is not given only by praying and waiting on the Lord, but by means of faithful friends whom the Lord sends. Let’s be one of them, because there’s no shortage of opportunities !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)