To say that we live in a time of change would be the understatement of the year. Not only has life changed but it has occurred with mind-boggling speed. How quickly exemplary democracies can be changed into restrictive dictatorial states where individual rights are ignored. Imagine using pandemic concerns to enforce lockdowns, to demand the firing of individuals for not complying with vaccine mandates that caused disruption in the supply chain and robbed health care institutions of valuable staff during a time of dire personnel shortages. Added to this conundrum is the frightening number of inexplicable deaths thought to have been caused by COVID shots.

Furthermore, other woes prevail such as crippling inflation, the sexualization of school curricula, the government’s insidious efforts to take control of the nation’s children, and the effort to completely muzzle free speech. How can anyone remain positive in such bleak circumstances? Thankfully there is a way.

Some years ago, a family consisting of a mother, father, and young son moved to a new house. While the parents could readily cope with the move, the little fellow was frightened and after going upstairs to his bedroom, called down, “Daddy, take care of me.” Some time later, the father who taught in a college, was moved to tears as he shared this incident with his class. We have a heavenly Father who loves us far more the any human being could and He promises to take care of us.

In 2 Corinthians 1: 3 and 4 explains that God is the source of our comfort. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble: by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Furthermore, God provides eternal care…for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5). Matthew 28:20 takes up the same theme when it states…and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Isaiah 46:4 further sounds this encouraging note. And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

So, we see that God the Father and God the Son provide comfort and sustenance even until the end of time. The Holy Spirit is greatly involved as well. Jesus spoke of the coming Holy Spirit in John 14:16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give unto you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. It is the Holy Spirit who distributes encouragement through His gracious gifts, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the, gifts of healing, discerning of spirits, diversities of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues (1Corinthians 12:7ff.). 1Coirinthians 12:28 states further, And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that, miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  All of these gifts are to encourage, edify, and help perfect the saints (Ephesians 4:12).

The Lord has also used angels to bring assistance and encouragement. As a matter of fact, Hebrews 1:14 states that they are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. Even in the Old Testament angels rendered excellent service. Many cases could be sited but Daniel’s experience in the lion’s den recorded in Daniel 6:22 is outstanding. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths that they have not hurt me: for as much as before him innocency was found in me; and before thee O king, have I done no hurt.

When the Messiah was to be brought into the world, unsuspecting Mary the mother of Jesus, was visited by an angel to minister encouragement and comfort. He said, …Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God (Luke 2:9). Once Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, it was a heavenly visitation that announced the good news to the temple shepherds. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold I bring you great tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people (Luke 2:9). While one angel may have brought the encouraging news in the first place, all the angels engaged in worship according to Hebrews 1:6. And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, let all the angels of God worship him. That would have been quite a scene to behold.

After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, He was visited by  angelic beings. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him (Matthew 4:11). Furthermore, during His excruciating struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord was ministered unto by an angel. Luke 22:43 states, And there appeared an angel from heaven, strengthening him. This was certainly important since none of the disciples were able to watch and pray with Him during this horrendous time.

Paul, facing shipwreck on his way to Rome, must have sought the Lord and was able to bring comfort to his fellow travellers. He stated clearly what they needed to hear. There stood by me this night an angel of God whose I am and whom I serve Saying, Fear, not Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee (Acts 27:23 and 24). Of course, many other examples of angels ministering to God’s people can be found throughout the pages of the Bible. Obviously, angels can and do bring great comfort.

God has called people to give ministerial and spiritual support. In the Old Testament, for example, prophets, strengthened the hands of kings and other leaders of the people. When the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, they had been slow to build up the house of the Lord. Ezra 5:1 and 2 shows the influence the prophets had in moving this process ahead.

Then the prophets, Haggai, the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and in Jerusalem in the name of the Lord God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

Certainly Isaiah, the prophet encouraged King Hezekiah more than once. When King Sennacherib of Assyria warned King Hezekiah that he was coming to destroy his country, Hezekiah went to Isaiah who joined him in prayer. The result was that one angel went out by night and killed185,000 Assyrians encamped before Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32). On another occasion, Isaiah warned Hezekiah that he was about to die but the Lord spoke to Isaiah to inform Hezekiah that he was to be given a 15-year reprieve. How important these prophets were for encouragement as well as reproof and direction when needed!

The Word of God is a powerful source of comfort. It was probably over 70 years ago when my father was pastoring a church in Fort Erie Ontario that we received the news that a fine young Christian man was gored to death by a bull. The man was about to marry a young lady who lived with us at the time and preparations for the wedding were in an advanced stage of preparation. The news was devastating to say the least but when my father went out to the farm to comfort the young man’s mother, she was pacing back and forth quoting Scripture after Scripture seeking this storehouse of extraordinary comfort. Psalm 119:165 states, Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119 24 further states, Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors and Psalm 119: 49-50 turns into a prayer saying, Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

Then too, many a weary, anxious saint has found great solace in prayer. Isaiah got it right when he said, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with the wings of an eagle; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Jesus encouraged people to pray. And he spake this parable unto them to this end: that men ought always to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1). The Apostle Paul also encouraged the saints to find release in prayer. Be careful for nothing: but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6 -7).

God’s people have also been of great comfort to one another.  Moses was directed to encourage Joshua so that he would be able to lead the Children of Israel after Moses’ demise. But charge Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him: for he shall go over before the people, and cause them to inherit the land(Deuteronomy 3:28). A very touching example of comfort is found in 1Samuel:15-16. And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. And Jonathan Saul’s son arose and went to David in the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

The New Testament also takes up this theme in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Paul encourages the members of the church to comfort each other. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. This comfort is certainly strengthened when the saints get together. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Services on the internet just cannot adequately substitute for the actual gathering together of the saints where they can express their mutual love for each other.

An interesting incident is recorded in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 30. David and his men returned home to a scene that caused him and his men great grief. While they were away, an enemy force had ransacked their city and kidnapped all the wives and children. David’s men were so grief-stricken that they threatened to stone David. In this dire strait, David had nowhere to turn so took up his own initiative to strengthen himself as stated in 1 Samuel 30:6, And David was greatly distressed, for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Although David knew he had to go to God for encouragement, he knew he had to take the initiative. So often we fall into discouragement and stay there wallowing in “the Slough of Despond.  As one college teacher put it we sing, This is my story, this is my song, saying “poor me” all the day long.

We certainly live in perilous times and can be overcome by paralyzing fear until we realize that God has provided comfort for us through Himself, through the Holy Spirit, through angels, through the Scriptures, through prayer, and through fellow saints. Furthermore, God promises to us all what he promised to Paul during a time of great struggle. My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Let the words of Habakkuk 3:17 be part of our very beings.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine; the labour of the olive tree shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.