In Philippians 2:1 Paul says, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ . . . .” Yes, God be greatly praised for the abundant and blessed consolation we have found in Jesus Christ! He has given us everlasting consolation and good hope. 2 Thess. 2:16. He comforts our hearts and strengthens us in every good word and work. V. 17. A person who lacks comfort is weakened in word and deed, but as surely as we abide in Christ, we will never end up in a situation where we lack consolation. In 2 Corinthians 7:4 Paul says, “I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” If we are in Christ, we cannot come into a single difficulty, temptation, or trial without being abundantly comforted in the depths of our heart. We have a flesh in which dwells nothing good, but we have this blessed comfort that it can be brought into the death of Christ and that it does not need to gain power over us. We have this comfort that no one can harm us if we become followers of what is good. His eyes are on us, and His ears are open to our prayers. 1 Pet. 3:12-13. The Lord comforted Joseph beforehand with a vision, so when he was cast into a pit and sold into Egypt, he could be at rest, knowing full well that it was only a step on the way to the regent’s throne. Consequently, he was also able to preserve his heart in goodness at all times and embrace his brothers in love when he met them again. It is a blessed comfort that the Lord’s way with us is perfect, and that all things serve us for our good. We do not take offense because of circumstances or people, because we know that all things are God’s servants, for our eternal gain. When He plunges us into tribulations and difficulties once in a while, it is only for the purpose of purifying us more. Our comfort is that we are on the way and that we are always getting closer to the goal. In Romans 15:4 Paul writes about the “comfort of the Scriptures.” Yes, we have much comfort from the Scriptures! They give us light wherever we go. His Word is sure for all eternity! It is a safe and sure foundation on which we can build our lives. Yes, it is a great comfort having such a foundation to build on, knowing that everything else will be overthrown and pass away. We have strong consolation in the Scriptures when it concerns the times to come. God’s Word tells us over and over again that we have nothing to fear; on the contrary, we shall lift up our heads and rejoice in expectation of Jesus’ soon return. Not a hair on our heads will be hurt unless it is His will, and the length of our days has been carefully decided. Wrath will be poured out only over the ungodly, but glory, honor, and peace will be the inheritance of the God-fearing. It is the Lord who says, “Thus far and no further,” when it concerns war and all kinds of events in the world. Simeon was waiting for the Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25), and only Jesus can truly comfort both the earthly and the spiritual Israel. “O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires . . . In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.” Isa. 54:11, 14. “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid . . . of the son of a man who will be made like grass?” Isa. 51:12. “Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.” Isa. 49:13. “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God. ‘Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.’” Isa. 40:1-2. Isaiah 40 was read in the Jewish parliament when it met in Jerusalem for the first time after Israel had become an independent state. Now the time has come when the Lord will bless them and comfort them in their own country. It is amazing that the Lord has also moved them away from the Wailing Wall where they have poured out their tears and lamentations for thousands of years. This Wailing Wall is now situated on Arab territory. “For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more.” Isa. 30:19. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded,’ says the Lord, ‘and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the Lord, ‘that your children shall come back to their own border.’” Jer. 31:16-17. “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isa. 66:13. Jerusalem has always been the center of the Jewish people’s yearning as they wandered around in exile. When they ate the Passover they would say, “Next year in Jerusalem!” This thought has caused them to have hope and joy in their hearts in the midst of persecutions and sufferings. Now the Lord has begun to comfort them, and their comfort will be perfected by Jesus, the Messiah. We also know that we cannot be comforted by anything outside of Christ and the church—the heavenly Jerusalem. If we were offered everything outside of this, it would be only empty and hollow. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:16-18. Yes, what a blessed comfort that is! In a short time the trumpet will sound, and then we will always be together with the Lord and the saints. Yes, we know that we are so thoroughly comforted by this that in all our tribulation there is no tribulation. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” 2 Cor. 1:3-7. “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus . . . .” Rom. 15:5.Aksel J. Smith