God's Comfort Exceeds All Earthly Remedies in Tribulation

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4).

There is no tribulation—in kind or degree—that Elohim cannot comfort. God's comfort far exceeds all philosophical remedies as much as the sun exceeds a glow-worm. Many of God's children remain ignorant of the foundations and sure grounds they possess for comfort, like Elisha's servant who could not see the great host of angels surrounding him (2 Kings 6:17). The Spirit of God illuminates us not only in matters of duty but also in matters of consolation.

God determines all tribulation as a loving Father, controlling its beginning, degree, and continuance. Winter's cold is as necessary as summer's warmth; night serves as well as day. Your affliction will not remain one hour longer than necessary for your healing. As the artificer knows precisely how long gold must remain in fire to remove dross without harm, so Yahweh measures your suffering.

Christ received by faith provides the Scripture-cordial that brings comfort in darkness. He enables us to gather grapes from thorns and figs from thistles. Paul's triumph over all tribulations (Romans 8) rests upon Christ dead and Christ risen. If He has given us Christ, He has given us everything necessary to comfort others in their suffering. This is the mountaintop transfiguration—seeing in this life what God hath prepared for those who love Him.