Topical Bible: Consolation Under Affliction: God is the Author and Giver of

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In the Christian faith, the concept of consolation under affliction is deeply rooted in the understanding that God is both the author and giver of comfort. This belief is woven throughout the Scriptures, where God’s presence and promises provide solace to those enduring trials and tribulations.

Divine Comfort in Scripture

The Bible consistently portrays God as a source of comfort for His people. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." This passage highlights God’s role as the ultimate comforter, emphasizing that His consolation is not only for personal relief but also equips believers to extend comfort to others.

God’s Presence in Times of Trouble

The Psalms frequently express the assurance of God’s presence during affliction. Psalm 34:18 declares, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." This verse reassures believers that God is intimately close to those who are suffering, offering His presence as a source of strength and hope.

Similarly, Psalm 46:1 affirms, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble." This imagery of God as a refuge underscores His protective and sustaining role during periods of distress.

The Role of Jesus Christ

The New Testament further reveals that Jesus Christ embodies God’s comfort. In Matthew 11:28 , Jesus invites the weary and burdened, saying, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This invitation underscores the rest and peace found in Christ, who understands human suffering and offers divine consolation.

Hebrews 4:15-16 also emphasizes Christ’s empathetic role: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Here, believers are encouraged to seek Christ’s mercy and grace, assured of His understanding and support.

The Holy Spirit as Comforter

The Holy Spirit, referred to as the Comforter or Advocate, plays a crucial role in providing consolation. In John 14:16-17 , Jesus promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence offers ongoing comfort and guidance, reinforcing God’s commitment to His people during their trials.

Purpose in Suffering

While affliction is often challenging, Scripture suggests that it can serve a divine purpose. Romans 5:3-5 states, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." This passage highlights the transformative potential of suffering, where God’s comfort enables growth in character and hope.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative affirms that God is the author and giver of consolation under affliction. Through His presence, the work of Jesus Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, believers find solace and strength to endure trials, reflecting the profound truth that God’s comfort is both a personal and communal gift.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 23:4
Yes, 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.
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Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
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2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
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2 Corinthians 7:6
Nevertheless God, that comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
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Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;
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2 Thessalonians 2:16,17
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
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Library

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Children, consolation under loss of, [244]276. ... 329]59; a good, comforts in affliction,
[330]286 ... himself for Absalom, [446]336; complained under reproach, [447 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... Various uses of affliction. ... should always have respect to the Lord, that under his
auspices we ... breast eschew that foolish and most miserable consolation of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 a summary of.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... to God, [1365]440; from one under high patronage ... Job, his character shewn by affliction,
[1394]338, [1395 ... dunghill of, in Arabia, [1402]371; consolation to be ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... even greater than that which rested on it under the Old ... this is to us often a great
source of consolation. ... that can have contributed to the affliction that has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

Epistle of Paul to the Philippians.
... us to know, in order to find consolation under present sufferings ... party against him,
and to add affliction to his ... yield themselves to him; and under his guidance ...
/.../epistle of paul to the.htm

Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
... how necessary for you is the consolation which comes ... he cherished all and protected
them under the covert ... In whatsoever affliction men cried to him he counted ...
/.../sermons of st bernard on.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... equally well did he know the sources of consolation. ... is, that Satan is the author
of persecution ... I do not forbid groaning and crying to God under affliction. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Treatise iii. On the Lapsed.
... They take away the consolation of eternal hope; they overturn the tree from ... 3253]
Under the altar ... they call on me, in the time of their affliction." [3259] But ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise iii on the lapsed.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... place till they become guilty; in the affliction to them ... idols to grant to the people
consolation and relief ... that the sin of worshipping Jehovah under the image ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... as not to require to be tried by affliction to advance ... spring from the law, and are
placed under the law ... grief, and did he resort to this consolation in their ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm