Comfort in Affliction

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How should we sympathize with others when they experience sorrow?

 

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15. “A despairing man should have devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” Job 6:14.

 

Does Jesus sympathize with us in our affliction?

 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.”

Hebrews 4:15. 

 

How did he manifest His sympathy in the case of Mary and her friends weeping over the death of Lazarus?

 

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.” John 11:33-35. 

 

Note – Not alone for Mary and her friends did Jesus weep. Looking down through the ages, He saw the tears and the heartaches that death would bring to mankind in this sin-stricken world. His heart was touched with human woe, and He wept with those who wept.

 

Whatever may come, what blessed assurance has everyone who loves God?

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

 

From Tears to Eternal Joy

 

In despair, like whom should we not sorrow?

 

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13. 

 

When our friends fall asleep in death, with what words are we told to comfort one another?

 

‘We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own words, we tell you hat we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Verses 14-18.  {Comfort one another with these words]

 

What did Christ say would be the experience of His people in this world?

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

 

In what respect is the reaping of God’s people to differ from their sowing?

 

‘Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5,6. (See also Psalm 30:11.)

 

God’s Plan The Best

 

Nothing just “happens” to the Christians. Everything that enters his life is sent or permitted to come by an all wise and all-loving heavenly Father, and is designed for the perfection of character and the fitting up and the enlargement of capacity of service. The rocks are rough places on the mountainside are the things we climb on. Even failures, if taken rightly, may become steppingstones to higher ground. 

The Scriptures tell us that “all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. In these words many claim the promise that makes adjustments in life less difficult and life itself more easily to understand.

 

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