THE GENTLENESS OF GOD: A PROMISE TO CLAIM

“For thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.’” (Isaiah‬ ‭66:12-13‬)

“I will…” is the assurance of God’s action. God cannot lie.  What He says He will do rest assured He will do.

There is the promise of peace as we rest in God’s arms, “I will extend peace...like a river...” (v.12a).  As a gentle river flows, creating a sound that soothes a troubled soul, thus God sends a stream of peace constant and comforting to His children. It is a lullaby to His child.

There is the promise of provision, “Then you shall feed...” (v.12b) fed as a mother feeds the babe with the breast, and carried on the hip as a mother carries her child, “On her sides shall you be carried...” (v.12c), and bounced on the knees as a mother plays with her young one, “and be dandled on her knees” (v.12d).

That is a picture of comfort, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you” (v.13a) and it is the promise of God!  “You shall be comforted...” (v.13b). Not all the powers of hate can diminish this promise of love!

THE GENTLENESS OF GOD: A TRUTH TO UNDERSTAND

 “As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you…” (Isa.66:13a)

The text does not say God is our Heavenly Mother, but that He will comfort His children as a mother does. It is an analogy to help us understand this dimension of God’s character—His gentleness. Scripture states in several places that God is our Rock.  He is not literally made of stone!  It suggests that He is a stable foundation to build your life on and a strong fortress to stand on.

Did you know that there are liberal denominations that are changing the language of Bible translations and hymns to align with radical feminism?  You might go to one of these churches and hear this:

One hymn calls the Almighty "Mother God." Another alludes to the universe as the "womb of life" A third refers to the Holy Spirit as "She [who] comes sailing on the wind." https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-78682355/her-hymns

We are not to impose our ideology on a Biblical text, but let the text dictate our theology.  But, we also cannot be fearful of truth that makes us uncomfortable just because there are those extreme voices.  We are accursed if we add to or take away from Scripture.

Always remember that God is above and beyond us—He is other than us.  While the Bible presents God as Father, also understand that God is a Spirit—so He does not have a body as a sexual being.  When He made humans in His image, He made them male and female, and so there are dimensions in the character of men and women that flow from God.  It does not flow back the other direction, however. Men and women are made in His image, not the opposite!  That is making God in our image—and that is idolatry.

One aspect of God’s character that He has given is his gentleness that we see expressed in maternal love.  Fathers love their children and a man can be tender too—yet there is a superlative quality about a mother’s compassion.  Mothers give us life, carry us in their womb and later in their arms.  They nourish us with their milk.  God is the source and strength of our life.  Mother’s refuse to give up on us—and God will not either!

A GRIEF OBTAINED

Years ago, the great Christian thinker, C.S. Lewis, wrote a book entitled, “A Grief Observed.”  In this brief, but poignant volume, he describes his struggle after his wife dies.  The pious platitudes and Christian clichés so often employed in the midst of sorrow were found to be hollow.  Lewis wavered in maintaining a faith that had seemed so rock-solid.  Once he spoke with such conviction about the things of God, as if he had all the answers.  Suddenly, he was thrust into an abyss where answers could not be found.

The reality of a loved one’s death was brutal…and it still is.  Have you ever watched a seven-year old granddaughter who had been so full of life a year ago be consumed with cancer?  Have you ever sat down with your son-in-law and your daughter to plan a funeral service that you will conduct?  I hope not—and pray you never do!  The pain is excruciating. I know that many of you who read this have been in similar times—a spouse, a sibling, a son—someone so dear and near and now all that remains are tombstones and memories.

I recall as a young pastor, visiting the hospital, seeking to minister by encouragement, Scripture, and prayer—and maybe somewhat effectively.  Nothing helped me be more helpful than when I was hospitalized for a week with a major operation, requiring a month to recuperate.  My sympathy factor increased exponentially and I believe my ministry was enhanced.  It was no longer theory, but experience that gave me a platform of compassion.

I believe that is what Paul was saying in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7,

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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.   If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.  Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (ESV)

I have no idea how many hundreds of funerals I have officiated, and can truly say I have sought to weep with those that wept and bring them comfort.  People have told me that they have been helped by my ministry.  Yet, I know now what I have never known before.  In the space of a week I have spoken at my father and granddaughter’s funerals, and felt a heartache from which I will never recover until the great Resurrection Day.  That hope seems more precious than ever to me!  I can testify that God’s grace is enough—that His comfort is real—and He will do the same for you, no matter what trial may come.  “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21 ESV)

COMFORTING WORDS IN A DISTRESSING WORLD

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11)

The country preacher said, "The pastor's job is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."  God's Word has a way of doing both.  In the context of 1 Thessalonians 5, and Paul's teaching concerning the return of Christ, there is great comfort to be found in that blessed hope—but it can also make us uncomfortable as we know we will stand before Christ in judgment and give an answer for the work we have done, or neglected to do.

Going to sleep in Jesus, when we die, is a good thing, but sleeping on duty is a bad thing!  With that in mind, Paul issues a call to URGENCY (v.1-3).  I heard of an old farmer and his wife jolted awake when the clock struck thirteen!  He jumped out of bed yelling, "Wake up Ethel, it's later than it's ever been!" Indeed, it is.  There is an urgency about our assignment. As we observe all that is happening in our world today, we must ask are we witnessing the labor pains of the coming Kingdom of God soon to be birthed?  There will be a man coming into the growing turmoil who promises peaces, but will bring perdition.

The approaching return of Christ should also inspire FERVENCY (v.4-6). While we ought to ever be motivated to serve Christ, the nearness of His coming should stir us as never before.  We ought to seek to be like the Sons of Issachar, "who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."  (1 Chron.12:32). Looking up to heaven, ought to move us to roll up our sleeves—inspiration leading to perspiration!

Paul closes the chapter with a word about SUFFICIENCY (v.7-11).  We are Christian soldiers on the battlefield for our Lord.  Our equipment is sufficient for the strife.  The Apostle calls us to dress for combat by putting on the armor of faith, hope, and love.  The blood of Christ is sufficient—it will save to the uttermost. Trust Him!

Encourage those who encourage you (5:12-13).   As a Pastor, it is my duty to encourage the people of God—to give you a pat on the back, or a kick in the seat, as needed.  Believe it or not—I could use some encouragement too!  In fact, pastors are on the front lines, where the fire is the heaviest—and Satan trains his artillery on God's leaders.  If he can bring them down, then others are made vulnerable.  Those encouragements include praise, prayer, thanksgiving, prophesying, discernment of error,  and abstinence from evil (5:14-28).

Let us spur one another on!  We may well be heading down the homestretch, the finish line approaching—and then to be with Jesus forever and ever!  These are comforting words in a distressing world!

  

THE DEFEAT OF DEATH

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”  (John 11:25)

There is no place we can run to escape from death.  The Bible says, "it is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment."  Word comes to Jesus that Lazarus is struggling with deadly illness.  Though He had the power to heal, Jesus restrained Himself from doing so in order for Lazarus to die!  He tells His disciples that it will be for the glory of the Father and the grounding of their faith.  Yet, the disciples were perplexed and Martha wonders why.  Lazarus' sisters were broken-hearted.  Their tears would give way to inexpressible joy, but not at first.  Perhaps you are perplexed at God's ways of working in your life, or that of your loved ones.  Let us cling to the hope expressed by the songwriter, "We'll understand it better by and by."

Jesus did not prevent the death of Lazarus, but He came to the sisters.  He wept with them.  He shared their sorrow.  He will do the same for you.  This is a story of tears and trials, but at the end, of triumph.  This is God's promise to the child of God.  Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning!

Jesus described the death of Lazarus to his disciples as sleep.  Why did Jesus liken death to sleep?  For one thing, sleep is harmless. For the child of God, death should hold no terror for it cannot harm us. David said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."  Sleep is not only harmless, but it is healthy.  The Bible says, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth that they might find rest from their labors."  The toil of life is over when we reach heaven.  All that burdens us will be banished in the life to come.  Sleep is also temporary.  We go to bed at night with the expectation of rising in the morning.  When a Christian dies, he goes to sleep in Jesus anticipating the resurrection. 

Every funeral Jesus attended turned into a celebration.  There was a personal summons issued to Lazarus.  Someone has well said that the voice of Jesus carries such authority that had He simply said, "Come forth" every dead person would have risen.  An hour is coming in which all the dead will hear that call.   Our separation from loved ones is not permanent.  There will be a reunion one day.  Can you imagine the joy as Mary and Martha embraced the warm flesh of their brother whose body only hours before lay cold in the tomb?  We anticipate the same rejoicing when we see those who have preceded us into heaven.

Lazarus was bound up in grave clothes and Jesus commanded that he be set free.  Death for the child of God means liberty.  Paul spoke of how we groan in this body, longing to be liberated, looking for that new body.  In heaven, we shall be in a land of absolute freedom—free of sin, sorrow, sickness, suffering, and separation.  This is the hope assured in that Christ is risen from the dead, and promises, “Because I live, you will live also.”  (John 14:19b)  We exult with Paul, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Cor.15:55)

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort....  (2 Corinthians 1:3)

The name of God is sacred for it reveals the nature of God.  Since His name is a disclosure of His infinite being, then many names are given in Scripture to help us relate to Him.  One name is not adequate, though all others flow from the name, I AM, for that is a limitless term, as we may see in that glorious name, many facets of God's nature.  I AM Alpha and Omega; I AM the Bread of Life; I AM the Good Shepherd--and so many more.  Whatever we need, we may know there is a name for that need.  Thus, Paul, writing to the Corinthians here, identifies Him as the "God of all comfort."  It was a precious name that Paul could bear witness to for he had been the recipient of God's remarkable comfort.  The degree of the solace he had received was in direct proportion to the depth of the suffering the Apostle had known.  As one reads this letter, Paul opens the door into the heart of a Gospel preacher and allows us to peer into the chambers filled with pain and problems that come with ministry.  Yet, in his disappointments and difficulties, during loneliness and labors, there is the note of faith in the sovereign purpose of God and declaration of the supernatural peace He bestows.  The best preaching arises from more than a doctrinal proposition formulated in the pastor's study, but from the personal manifestation of that truth's reality in daily living.  Paul wasn't discussing a theory but giving a testimony to the "God of all comfort."

The man of God knew something more--that God is no respecter of persons--so the comfort He gives for one man's trials is a promise of comfort to another facing his or her own problems.  Whatever you are going through today--the relentless pressures and pain of life that roll in continually like ocean waves--there is a supply of comfort available to us to enable us to withstand the storm surge.  God builds a sea wall with timbers of truth, grounded on the solid Rock, cemented together by grace to guard our hearts from despair.

In providing for Paul, God gave him a life message to other struggling pilgrims, and when we experience His comfort it is not meant to be hoarded, but shared.  Here is the context:

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 Corinthians 1:3-7)

God had comfort for Paul in his suffering and now he encourages the Corinthians that similar comfort is available to them, and thankfully to us as well!  May you know the "God of all comfort" today!