the Rev. Henry Huenemann
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God (Isaiah 40:1).
Bible Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11:Devotional
"What is thine only comfort in life and in death? That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not mine own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ." Heidelberg Catechism 1).
Life is full of sorrow and suffering. God wants us to have comfort in our sin and misery. He has provided it, rich and abundant. We are not our own, but we belong unto him. He is our God, and we are his people. He has loved us from all eternity, and has made full provision for us. He has redeemed us from all sin and all the power of the devil; He preserves us; He makes all things work for our salvation; He assures us of eternal life, and makes us heartily willing and ready to live unto him. Our comfort consists in all these things. People seek comfort in other things—riches, honor, pleasure, but there is no other comfort that will last in all circumstances of life, and that will abide with us in death. This is the only comfort. And it is all-sufficient. In spite of adversities, sorrows, and tribulations, we still can rejoice in the Lord. And death has lost its terrors. It is an entrance into life.
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work." Amen.
Prayer
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth 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. We thank Thee, O God, that in our tribulation and manifold afflictions we have the abundant consolation, which is in Jesus Christ; for as we are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, so shall we be also of the consolation. For this we would praise Thee now and for ever. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: Heb. 3:17, 18; 2 Thess. 2:16, 17.
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