Comfort One Another
Today’s Verse:
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. ~1 Thessalonians 4:18
The term “comfort care” is used by medical professionals for someone who is typically going through hospice care. The goal is to make the person who needs care feel a sense of comfort as they go through their health trial. In our devotion this morning, we want to consider the encouragement of comfort that Christians are to extend to one another.
There is the setting.
The believers at Thessalonica were going through sadness concerning the loved ones who were saved but had predeceased them in death. These believers were concerned if they would see their loved ones in eternity. In fact, Paul refers to them sorrowing concerning their deceased loved ones. Even though Christians have the assurance of Heaven being their home after this life, we are still affected by a loved one’s passing. Sorrow is a powerful reaction to a loss. There is a hollowness that we feel when someone whom we love passes away.
There is the solace.
Paul said, “That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Paul reminds us of the hope that we have in Jesus. We have a living hope because of a risen Savior! He is reminding them and us that we will see our loved ones again. He is encouraging us that there will be a reunion with our loved ones.
There is the Savior.
Jesus is coming for us in the event that we fondly call "the Rapture." "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The Rapture is a heavenly event where resurrection, reunion, rapture, redemption, and reckoning will all occur. It is the homecoming of every believer who will be alive at that time. It is known as the "Blessed Hope" of every believer.
There is the service.
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” How do we do this? There must be constant reassurance. There must be congregational concern. There must be the proactive involvement of each believer to come alongside of those who are hurting because of grief. We must be acquainted with the Scriptures to show a fellow believer that there is hope beyond the grave. Here is a ministry of help that almost every Christian can exercise towards others.
Is there anyone whom you know who is sorrowing because of a passing of a saved loved one? Perhaps God would have you be an encourager to that person. Take the Scriptures in today’s devotion as a means to help others be comforted during difficult times. Be a source of hope and help.
Have a comforting God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Judges 6-7