Every year I think about and pray for a word to focus on during the upcoming year. Last year's word was "rest" but I have to admit that last year was definitely not restful. However, the concept of rest can also focus on resting in the Lord in the midst of all the chaos and confusion that played out in our world last year. This concept of resting in the Lord was definitely needed in 2020. Many have verbalized a need for "hope" in 2021. The word I was given for the year is "comfort." I believe "comfort" is an appropriate word in the year ahead. In times of trouble and distress we all seek some sort of comfort. When we are sick and struggling to function we need the comfort of other's care or the relief we can experience from medication. When we have lost a loved one to death, comfort from the support of others can help us through our grief. "Comfort" is a very significant concept in God's word.
God's Word Is A Source Of Comfort
The Old and New Testaments have many examples of the importance of comfort. In the midst of their struggles, Isaiah prophesied in chapter 40, comfort and deliverance for the Israelites through a soon to come Messiah. Many during this pandemic have experienced suffering and have sought relief. The psalmist provides encouragement during hard times and declares, "My comfort in my suffering is this; Your promise preserves my life." (Psalm 119:50 NIV) Moreover, one of the most familiar psalms speaks of God's comfort through one of the most fearful times in our lives--death, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 NIV) Some versions of the Bible translate "darkest valley" as the "valley of the shadow of death." Both the rod and staff of the shepherd were used to bring comfort to the sheep through protecting them against predators and gently guiding and keeping the sheep close to the shepherd. Fast forward to the New Testament and Jesus in His person represented God's comfort to those who were in bondage to sin. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, comfort is a part of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4 NIV) Comfort is not solely something we receive, but also something we give to others. God calls us to follow His example and be comforters as Paul states in 2 Corinthians, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all 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 1:3-4 NIV)
An Ultimate Comfort Will Come
Our ultimate comfort will be realized with the creation of a new heaven and earth when we will no longer need comfort but we will be comfortable in the presence of our Lord forever as we read in Revelation, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4 NIV) Its a New Year and as in previous years, there will be triumphs as well as tragedies, pleasure as well as pain, celebration as well as suffering. We will all need comfort at some point during the year but there will be times as well when we will be comforters to others. I will wait with expectation upon the Lord to see how the word "comfort" unfolds in my life this year.
The comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you in the year ahead!
Pastor Sheree
