A. His promises of comfort:
Psa.71:21 - Thou shalt...comfort me on every side
Psa.86:17 - Thou, Lord, hast holpen me, & comforted me
Psa.91:15 - I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him
Psa.116:6 - I was brought low, & He helped me
Psa.138:7a - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me
Isa.42:6 - I the Lord...will hold thine hand, & will keep thee
Isa.43:2 - When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee
Isa.49:13 - The Lord hath comforted His people, & will have mercy upon His afflicted
Isa.51:12,13 - I, even I, am He that comforteth you
Isa.66:13 - As one his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you
Jn.14:18 - I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you
Jn.14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled: believe...in Me
2Cor.1:3 - Blessed be God...the Father of mercies, & the God of all comfort
2Cor.7:6 - God...comforteth those that are cast down
2Thes.2:16,17 - Our Lord Jesus Christ...which hath loved us, & given us everlasting consolation...comfort your hearts
(See also Psa.103:6; Phi.2:1,2.)
B. The Lord is always with you to comfort you:
Psa.121:4 - He that keepeth [thee] shall neither slumber nor sleep
2Cor.1:4 - (He) comforteth us in all our tribulation
C. The Holy Spirit, the "Comforter", will comfort you:
Jn.14:26 - The Comforter...is the Holy Ghost
Jn.15:26 - The Comforter...Whom I will send unto you from (God)
Jn.14:16,17 - (God) shall give you a Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit...shall be in you
Acts 9:31 - Then had the churches rest...in the comfort of the Holy Ghost
A. Pray & ask for His help:
2Chr.15:4 - When they in their trouble...sought (God), He was found of them
Psa.34:17 - The righteous cry, & the Lord heareth, & delivereth them out of all their troubles
Psa.86:7 - In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me
Psa.119:76 - Let, I pray, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort
Psa.145:18,19 - The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him
Phi.4:6,7 - By prayer...let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God...shall keep your hearts
Heb.4:16 - Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, & find grace to help in time of need
B. Examples of King David's prayers seeking comfort:
(See Psa.31:9-12; 38:9; 51:all; 69:1,2; 102:1-7.)
C. Read & meditate on God's Word:
Psa.119:50 - This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened me
Rom.15:4 - (Word) written...that we through patience & comfort of the Scriptures might have hope
D. Stay obedient & close to Him:
Jn.8:29 - The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him
Psa.103:17,18 - The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him
E. Continue trusting & have patience:
Gen.28:15 - [God tells Jacob:] I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of
Psa.42:3-11 - Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him
Psa.119:81-83 - I hope in Thy Word. When wilt Thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke
Heb.10:35,36a - Cast not away...your confidence...ye have need of patience, that, after...ye might receive the promise
F. Remind yourself of God's past miracles & mercies:
Psa.77:1-12 - My spirit was over whelmed... This is my infirmity: but I will remember the works of the Lord
Psa.119:52 - I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord; & have comforted myself
G. Encourage & remind yourself of God's faithfulness:
1Sam.30:6 - David was greatly distressed...but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God
H. Remember, God will never forsake you...
Isa.49:14,15,16 - [They] said, The Lord hath forsaken me, & forgotten me. Yet will I not forget thee
Psa.31:22 - I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Thine eyes: [but] Thou heardest...when I cried unto Thee
Psa.9:9,10 - They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee
Mat.28:20b - I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world
2Tim.2:13 - [Even] if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful
Heb.13:5 - I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee
(See also Isa.54:10)
I....Unless you grievously rebel & forsake Him:
2Chr.15:2 - The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him...but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you(1Chr.28:9)
J. Even then, He will not permanently forsake you:
Isa.54:7,8 - For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee
K. Trust & completely commit yourself into His hands:
Rom.8:28 - All things work...for good to them that love God
1Pet.4:19 - Let them that suffer...commit the keeping of their souls to Him...as unto a faithful Creator
L. He will keep you:
2Tim.1:12b - (I) am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him
Psa.23:4 - Thy rod & Thy staff they comfort [& protect] me
Psa.37:5 - Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him
Psa.55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the Lord, & He shall sustain thee
Psa.138:8 - The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me
Phi.1:6 - He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ
1Thes.5:24 - Faithful is He that calleth you, Who...will do it
1Pet.5:7 - Casting all your care on Him; for He careth for you
A. He knows every tear you've shed:
2Ki.20:5 - I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears
Psa.56:8 - Put my tears in Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book? (See also Mk.9:24)
B. He knows exactly what you're experiencing:
Exo.3:7 - I have seen the affliction of My people...& have heard their cry...I know their sorrows
Psa.103:13,14 - The Lord pitieth (us)...for He knoweth our frame
Isa.53:4 - He hath borne our griefs, & carried our sorrows
Isa.63:9 - In all their affliction He was afflicted
Heb.4:15 - Touched with the feeling of our infirmities...(He) was in all points tempted like as we are
C. Though He chastises us, He loves & comforts:
Psa.30:5 - His anger endureth but a moment...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning
Psa.71:20 - Thou, which hast showed me great & sore troubles, shalt quicken (make alive) me again
Psa.103:9 - He will not always chide; neither...keep His anger forever
Isa.12:1 - Though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, & Thou comfortedst me
Lam.3:31-33 - Though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion
(See also Hos.6:1-3)
A. His hands are always there, supporting you:
Deut.33:27 - Underneath are the everlasting arms
Psa.145:14 - The Lord upholdeth all that fall, & raiseth up all those that be bowed down
Psa.37:17 - The Lord upholdeth the righteous
Psa.37:24 - Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand
Isa.41:10 - I am with thee: be not dismayed; I will uphold thee with (My) right hand
Isa.63:9 - In His love & pity He...bare them, & carried them
B....Even in distant lands & lonesome situations:
Psa.139:8b - If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there
Psa.139:9-12 - If I...dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand...hold me
Mat.28:20b - I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world
Isa.50:10 - Who is among you...that walketh in darkness, & hath no light? let him trust in the Lord
Isa.42:16 - I will make darkness light before them, &...not forsake them
Psa.18:28 - The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness
Psa.112:4 - Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, & full of compassion
Mic.7:8b - When I sit in darkness, Lord shall be a light unto me
(See also Isa.58:10,11)
A. You're blessed, so be joyful & happy:
Mat.5:10-12 - Blessed are ye, when men shall revile & persecute you. Rejoice & be exceeding glad
Jn.16:33 - In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
2Cor.7:4b - I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation
Phi.4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord alway: & again I say, Rejoice
1Pet.4:12,13 - Rejoice...ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings
B. Happy days will come again:
Isa.51:11,12a - The redeemed of the Lord shall...obtain gladness & joy; & sorrow & mourning shall flee away
1Thes.4:15-18 - [Jesus will soon come to take us to Heaven] Comfort one another with these words (See also 5:10,11)
(See also Isa.40:2; 52:9; 57:16-18; Jer.31:12-14; Zech.1:12-17.)
C. Sorrow will soon be gone:
Job 11:16 - Thou shalt forget thy misery, & remember it as waters that pass away
Psa.30:5 - Weeping may endure a night, but joy cometh in morning
Psa.30:11 - Thou put off my sackcloth, & girded me with gladness
Isa.49:13 - Sing...be joyful...break forth into singing: for the Lord hath comforted His people...His afflicted
Isa.54:11 - O thou afflicted...& not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours
D. Think about & be thankful for His comforts:
Psa.94:19 - In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul
E. We are blessed; most un saved people have no comforter:
Eccl.4:1 - Behold the tears of such as were oppressed, & they had no comforter
A. Sometimes you need the help of others:
Jer.8:18 - When I would comfort myself...my heart is faint
2Cor.2:7 - Ye ought...to comfort him, lest (he) be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow
(See also Eccl.4:9,10,12)
B. We should comfort one another:
Gen.37:34,35a - And all his (Jacob's) sons & daughters rose up to comfort him (See also 1Chr.7:22; Job 2:11.)
Isa.40:1 - Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God
Isa.61:1,2 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...comfort all that mourn
Isa.61:3 - Give unto them beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for spirit of heaviness
1Cor.12:25 - In the body...the members should have the same care one for another
2Cor.2:8 - I beseech you that ye confirm your love toward him
2Cor.7:6 - God...comforted us by the coming of Titus [a fellowlabourer] (See also Eph.6:22; Col.4:7,8; 1Thes.3:2.)
2Cor.7:13 - We were comforted...(Titus') spirit was refreshed by you
Gal.6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, & so fulfill the law of Christ
Col.2:2 - Hearts...comforted, being knit together in love
Col.4:11 - My fellow-workers...which have been a comfort unto me
1Thes.5:11 - Comfort yourselves together, & edify one another
1Thes.5:14 - Comfort the feebleminded (fainthearted, timid)
C. How to comfort others:
Gen.50:21b - (Joseph) comforted them, & spake kindly unto them
Ruth 2:13 - Thou hast comforted me...thou hast spoken (kindly)
Pro.17:22a - A merry heart doeth good like a medicine
Pro.27:9 - Ointment & perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel
1Thes.2:11 - We...comforted...you, as a father doth his children
Rom.12:15b - Weep with them that weep
D. Use your own experiences to comfort them:
2Cor.1:4 - That we may be able to comfort (others) in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God
Psa.66:12,16 - I will declare what He hath done for my soul
E. The comforting, consoling power of inspired music:
Psa.32:7 - Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance
Psa.42:5-8 - My soul is cast down within me...yet...in the night His song shall be with me
1Sam.16:14-16 - An evil spirit...troubleth thee. [A musician] shall play... & thou shalt be well (See also vs. 23)
Pro.25:20 - [Caution: Make sure you sing fitting songs]
F. Encouraging words of prophecy are a comfort:
1Cor.14:3 - He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to...comfort
G. When words fail, just being there is a help:
Job 2:13 - They sat down with him...& none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great
Col.2:2 - Hearts...comforted, being knit together in love
H. Make sure you are comforting, not condemning:
Job 16:2-5 - Miserable comforters are ye all. [Job said if they were in his place, he would have comforted them]
A. Even when all others leave you, you'll always have the Lord:
2Tim.4:16,17 - All men forsook me...notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, & strengthened me
Psa.27:10 - When father & mother forsake me, Lord will take me up
Psa.34:22 - None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate
Psa.142:4,5 - Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul. Thou art my refuge & my portion in the land of the living
Isa.54:1,5,6 - The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken & grieved in spirit...when thou wast refused
Isa.54:10 - The mountains shall depart...but My kindness shall not depart from thee
Heb.13:5 - He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee
B. His special care for the brokenhearted:
Psa.34:18 - The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart
Psa.51:17 - A broken & a contrite heart...Thou wilt not despise
Psa.61:2 - When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I
Psa.147:3 - He healeth the broken in heart, & bindeth up their wounds
Ezk.34:16 - I...will bind up that which was broken
Isa.61:1 - He hath sent Me (Jesus) to bind up the brokenhearted
Lk.4:18 - He hath sent Me (Jesus) to heal the brokenhearted
(See also Isa.57:15)
C. When suffering bereavement over the loss of a loved one:
2Sam.12:15-23 - [When David's sick child died, he stopped fasting & weeping, saying:] I shall go to him [in Heaven]
1Cor.15:17-21 - [Jesus is raised from the dead, therefore our loved ones also live, & we are not to be miserable]
1Thes.4:13 - Concerning them which are asleep (departed)...sorrow not, as others which have no hope
1Thes.4:14-18 - The dead in Christ shall rise...we shall be... with them... comfort one another with these words
D. It is much better for them to be with the Lord:
2Cor.5:8 - We are...willing rather to be absent from the body, & to be present with the Lord
Phi.1:23 - Desire to depart...to be with Christ...is far better
Rev.7:16,17 - [The happiness of our departed loved ones in Heaven]
E. When suffering remorse over mistakes or sins:
(See Psa.31:9-24; 38:1-22; 51:all; Lam.1:20a; Lk.18:13,14; 2Cor.2:6-8. Also compare Mat.26:69-75; Mk.16:6,7.)
A. Comforted by Heavenly rewards:
Psa.37:9 - Those that wait on the Lord, shall inherit the earth
Mat.5:4 - Blessed are they that mourn...they shall be comforted
Lk.6:21 - Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh
Lk.12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (See also Mat.25:34)
Lk.16:19-22a - [The suffering beggar Lazarus] carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom
Jn.16:20 - Ye shall weep & lament...& ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy
Rom.8:18 - The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory (Heavenly reward)
2Cor.4:17 - Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us...(an) eternal weight of glory
2Cor.1:7 - As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation
2Tim.2:12 - If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him
B. There will be no more sorrow or tears in Heaven:
Isa.25:8 - He will swallow up death in victory; & the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces
Rev.21:4 - God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; & there shall be no more...sorrow, nor crying (See also 7:17)