December 8, 2024 - Comfort Ye My People

Comfort Ye My People

Sunday, December 8, 2024

by: Joy Ross 

“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 have received from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

We are coming into what’s called “the happiest season of all”, yet there are so many people hurting this time of year due to grieving the loss of loved ones, receiving bad news, loss of a job, financial difficulties, loneliness, stress, or any other number of reasons.

 

We just celebrated Thanksgiving, a time of reflecting on our many blessings and the abundant reasons we have to be thankful and grateful.   I love Thanksgiving because it doesn’t focus on acquiring or giving “stuff”.  It focuses on time with friends and family and sharing meals and time together.  Yet, even so, there are many who even though they know they have much to be thankful for and that they enjoy many blessings, don’t necessarily feel that way.

Christmas is a time we should focus on the Gift of Jesus Christ to the world from God his father. However, we frequently lose focus on Jesus in the midst of “Black Friday”, “ small business Saturday” and “cyber Monday” as well as with parties, special foods and decorating. Again, this can be an especially painful time for some people.

Comfort Eternal

May we not get so caught up in what we are doing that we don’t “see” those around us this year who may not be feeling as festive as we are or as they think they should be feeling; who are not ho-ho-ho-ing or fa-la-la-ing as we might be.  May we be sensitive to their pain and offer comfort to them or even just give them their space. Jesus offered compassion and comfort to those he encountered even as he allowed his own schedule to be interrupted by those who needed God’s love, compassion and healing, such as the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years (Mt. 9, Mk. 5), the widow whose son had died (Luke7:11-15), Lazarus’ sisters after his death (John 11:21-26), the ten lepers (Luke 17:10-19), and even his disciples as he was facing his own imminent death ( John 14:1-4).

May we be like Jesus and love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves.  Then we will be able to follow Paul’s direction to the Corinthians ... so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

We know that God himself is the ultimate comforter, but he puts us here to be his representatives; to do His will and love and care for others here on earth.

Receive these words of comfort from God: 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.