1. THE COMFORT OF GOD
God comforts us saying: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God…[Your]… warfare is accomplished, [your] iniquity is pardoned. (Isaiah 40:1-2). God knows the torment of mankind by the evil one and the bondage of affliction that is imposed on us by the agents of Satan.
He also understands that you cannot defeat or withstand the wiles of evil without His help. It is “[God that] 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”. (2 Corinthians 1:4; Isaiah 51:12).
Brethren, God seals His promise of comfort and hope in Jesus Christ who is born of the Spirit of God by incarnation, to redeem us from sin and all tribulation by his sacrifice. (luke 1:30-35). Our comfort is that by Jesus, God has accomplished His warfare with evil and has pardoned our iniquities. (John 16:33).
Jesus gave hope and comfort to the Jews in the triumphal entry into Jerusalem as men spread their garments and strewed branches of trees in the way for him, saying “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord… Hosanna in the highest”. (Mark 11:8-10)
2. ‘THE HIGHWAY’ OF COMFORT
In order for you to obtain the comfort of our Lord, you must prepare and “make straight in the desert a highway for our God”.(Isaiah 40:3; Luke 3:4) This is the symbolism of preparation of your hearts for the dwelling of God’s Holy Spirit, which Christ promises to send for believers after we receive him as our saviour. (John 16:7).
God’s “highway” is called “THE WAY OF HOLINESS”. Christ is the way the truth and the life to God’s holiness and comfort. (Isaiah 35:8; John 14:3&6). No unclean thing shall pass over the way of Life and truth that is in Christ Jesus; neither shall any “lion” or predatory “beast” seize God’s people away from deliverance there.
Only YOU, who are “the redeemed” and the “ransomed of the Lord” shall walk there”; with joy and gladness. All sorrow and sighing shall flee away from the Holy Way. (Isaiah 35:8-10; Isaiah 5:29; Malachi 3:1; Mark 1:2-5).
Brethren once you chose the way of Christ by committing to be “born again” in him, you become the redeemed of God and belong to His Spiritual kingdom on earth, where Satan cannot access you. Herein is your comfort and hope in the Lord! (John 3:3 & 5; Romans 10:8-10; Matthew 6:10 & 13).
2.1. ‘EXALTED VALLEYS’
To walk in God’s way of Holiness i.e. in the salvation of Christ Jesus, “…every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low”. Brethren, you need to be lowly and meek at heart, to walk in the salvation of the Lord, because only the humble enough can accept God’s sacrifice of Jesus as perfect to redeem them and make their crooked ways straight. God’s purpose is that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” ((Isaiah 40:4; Luke 3:5-6; Matthew 5:5 & 8).
2.2. ‘LOWERED MOUNTAINS’
But every “mountain and hill” or one that is “proud and lofty” or is “lifted up” shall be brought low to humble them (Isaiah 2:11-12; Job 40:12;Isaiah 40:4; Psalm 68:16).
Brethren, to reconciled with God under the grace of Jesus, ones heart must not be proud or his eyes haughty; and you should not aspire to great matters or things too lofty for you. For “every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Psalm 131:1; Proverbs 16:5).
Where one still rejoices in their pride, God will remove, and you will never again be haughty on His “holy mountain”. In other words, God shall hedge up your way with thorns. And make a wall, that you shall not find your paths until He allures you into the wilderness to speak comfortably to you (Zephaniah 3:11; Hosea 2:6 &14).
In this scenario, you would experience difficult circumstances that is designed to break your prideful heart so that you may realise the Holy way of the Lord; and be prepared for the dwelling of His Holy Spirit. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” (Acts 14:22).
3. BEHOLD YOUR GOD!
Isaiah encourages believers to lift up your voice with power and “Behold your God”! Be not afraid for “the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him…” (Isaiah 40:10). Since God is your salvation, you must trust and not be afraid. “The LORD JEHOVAH is [your] strength and [your comfort song]; he also is become [your] salvation. (Isaiah 12:2). He will help you and uphold you with the right hand of His righteousness; And “…the wicked will never again march through you; they will be utterly cut off”. (Isaiah 41:10-14,27; Nahum 1:15)
3.1. BEHOLD YOUR ‘COMFORTER’!
Brethren, God’s ruling arm, which also is your help and strength, and the gift of your salvation is the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains that His departure from the earth was expedient so that he will send “the comforter“ to come unto us (John 16:7; John 15:26). It is important that one understands the importance of the function of your comforted so that you can enjoy the benefit of your salvation fully.
The Comforter is the “Spirit of Truth” which Jesus explains will come to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. He will judge Satan, “the prince of this world” who shall no longer have power over you because the “Spirit of Truth” will guide you into all truth. He shall speak of the will of God and show you things to come and thereby glorifying Christ. (John 16:8-14). “The Spirit searcheth all things yea, the deep things of God” We have received this Spirit which is of God (not man), “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God”. (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
May you be comforted in this Holy week commencing with ‘Palm Sunday’, a week of comfort and the hope of Victory that is of God by Jesus Christ.
4. THE GREAT MYSTERY OF OUR HOPE
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory”. (1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:7).
Brethren prepare your hearts and covet the Spirit of Truth that is of God by Jesus Christ: Let your faith not stand in the wisdom of men but in Spirt and of the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank You for Your word. We give you praise for your great faithfulness
Father May “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with [all your Children]. Amen. ( 2 Corinthians 13:14)
I make this prayer in Jesus name.
Have a blessed Holy week!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG), 14/04/2019
