In Romans fifteen and verse four, Paul wrote of the patience and comfort of the scriptures. He was referring to the Old Testament because the New Testament had not been fully written at that time. However, since the New Testament has been completed, they too contain much comfort. It is to our advantage as God's people to study the Bible and to thereby be filled with comfort as we go through life. To be comforted is to receive consolation in time of trouble. It is to experience a feeling of relief from stress. In this world of sin, being surrounded by ungodly people and ungodly things, we need some comfort, and a great source of comfort is the Word of God.
We must remember that the Bible comes from God. Paul said, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God..." Furthermore, he praised the Thessalonians because they received his inspired teaching as God's word, and not as the word of men (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Once we learn to receive God's word like the Thessalonians did, and realize that the origin of the scriptures is God, then we will be able to put our full trust and confidence in the Bible, for the author of the scriptures cannot lie. The Hebrews writer said, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..." (Hebrews 6:18).
Why is it that so many people, including some who claim to be Christians, put their confidence in man? Does not life itself teach us that man is not worthy of our complete trust? Think of all the broken contracts and failed promises of men throughout man's history. It certainly confirms the statement found in Romans 3:4 that says, "let God be true, but every man a liar." That is not to say that we are all practicing liars, but, if we are honest, we will admit that most of us have lied at one time or another. At the very least the passage teaches us that it is possible for man to lie. However, as the Hebrews writer declared, it is impossible for God to lie. His commands are always sure, and His promises are always fulfilled. Therefore, when we fully understand that the scriptures are God-breathed, i.e., they proceed forth from God, we can know that every scripture is a revealed truth. This allows us to put full confidence in the scriptures and realize that every promise therein will come to pass. That in itself is comforting. Let us look at some promises of God that afford us comfort.
The greatest promise of all, of course, is the promise of eternal salvation. The scriptures are full of the promise that those who die in the Lord will receive an incorruptible inheritance. We may suffer now, but regardless of our present distress, we can find comfort in our hope of heaven. Peter said, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptation" (1 Peter 1:6). And in Romans eight, Paul declared, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). We are consoled greatly here on earth (even when we face troubling and distressing times) when we think of and put our trust in the promise of eternal salvation. The fulfillment of this promise is determined by the fulfillment of other great and precious promises. If one is going to be saved, his sins will have to be forgiven. There will be no sin in heaven; therefore, there will be no sinners in heaven. Someone may conclude that we are all sinners so heaven will be empty. No, for God has promised that He would forgive us of our sins and remember them no more. Now this forgiveness is conditional. One must believe, repent, confess and be baptized. Based upon the unwavering promise of God, the sins of a person are forgiven when he meets these conditions (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
Also, God promised that we would all be resurrected from the dead if we die before the return of Jesus (John 5:28, 29). Obviously, fulfillment of that promise is necessary if we are to experience eternal life, for if there is no resurrection, there is no life after death. In 1 Corinthians fifteen Paul proves that we will be resurrected and receive bodies fit for eternity. Furthermore, God promised that Jesus would return to gather up His followers and lead them to their heavenly home. We are told the following in Acts 1:11, "...This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go." And Paul tells us that when Jesus comes back, He will deliver us (His kingdom) up to God the Father (1 Corinthians15:24).
Finally, God has made promises that we enjoy right now. He has promised to hear and answer our prayers (1 Peter 3:12). He has promised to take care of our needs, even, to some degree, from a physical standpoint (Matthew 6:25-33). He has promised that all things shall work for good in our lives if we love and obey Him (Romans 8:28). These are all promises that we can and do experience now.
All these promises are found in the scriptures. If we believe the Word, knowing that God cannot lie, then truly the scriptures will be a major source of comfort. Let us make sure we listen to them.
- brownstreetcoc.org