COVENANT OF COMFORT

For the LORD will COMFORT Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like EDEN, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody – Isaiah 51:3

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” says your God (Is.40:1). We live in a world that is naturally comfortless, one that is full of trials, troubles and tribulations (Jh.16:33). Alleluia! We can be of good cheer, because the LORD God is eternally committed to comforting His people. The word “comfort” however implies more than merely sympathising with someone. The best that people have to offer is PITY and SYMPATHY, not COMFORT. The Shepherd of our souls gives us true comfort. David, the Psalmist knew the reality of His Comfort: “Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they COMFORT me” (Ps.23:4).

Isaiah 51:3 says, “the LORD will comfort Zion.” That is, the LORD will restore, satisfy, and add value to Zion. He will transform and rebuild all her waste places. He will restore and RAISE Zion from her RUINS. When God comforts His people, it involves His active commitment, not a passive attitude. He doesn’t simply say “Sorry”. Rather, He changes negatives to positives, minuses to pluses, pains to gains, and sadness to gladness! God is set to restore our “Edens”! He who made the first man, planted a luxuriant and well-watered garden, and located him therein, is set to make every wilderness in our lives like Eden and the deserts like His garden. The undeniable result: joy, gladness, thanksgiving and the voice of melody!

The Covenant of Comfort is one key reason for the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. The LORD Jesus introduced Him as “Another Comforter” (Jh.14:16, 26). Acts 9:31 speaks of “the comfort of the Holy Ghost…” and Romans 15:4 of “the comfort of the scriptures” (Rom.15:4). 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 further unveils this Covenant: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the GOD of ALL COMFORT; Who comforts 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.”

Our Loving Father is the “GOD of ALL COMFORT”! His comfort is comprehensive and complete: “all comfort”! Psalm 71:21 says, “You will increase my greatness, and COMFORT me on EVERY SIDE.” God’s comfort is never partial and is devoid of half-measures. He leaves no stone unturned, and no room for regret, shame or sorrow. He covers all grounds in our lives!