The God of patience and comfort

“For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus” Romans 15,3-5 (NKJV)

“Not to please ourselves”.

The apostle Paul wrote this exhortation in his letter to the romans (In the first verse of the 15th chapter, the same chapter of today's opening Scripture). ‘Not pleasing ourselves’ is not pleasant to our carnal nature. But the Bible says it’s a sign of strength, a sign of maturity.

In this situation, however, God does not turn a blind eye as if He just leaves us to ourselves. No!

God knows the pain. That’s why He gives patience and comfort in trying times.

He is the God of patience, perseverance, endurance, steadfastness and He is the God of comfort, encouragement and consolation.

"He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood."  Luke 22,41-44 (NLT)

Even Jesus needed strength in times of suffering. When He was praying (Luke 22,42) in the garden Gethsemane, it is evident that He was already feeling what was going to happen to Him and the suffering that He would have to go through. But God sent His angel to strengthen Him. And He continued to pray and that more fervently.

Another time we see Jesus being ministered to by angels was when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. I would dare say Jesus was in a vulnerable place. He needed strength.

Remember: while on earth, as much as Jesus was God, He was also flesh and blood: 100% human. (Philippians 2,6-8)

“Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” (Mark 1,12-13 NKJV)

Child of God, yes, trying times come and will come. When they do, remember that God is the God who gives patience and comfort. Speak confidently like the psalmist David: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23,4-5) God is with you and will always be with you to guide and to protect you.

You will make it!

"Then Job answered, I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all! Will your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer [me like this]? I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. [But] I would strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would soothe your suffering." Job 16,1-5 (AMPC)