Praise be to 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.
— 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

In His Word, God specifically calls himself “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

Why does God call himself the God “of all comfort”? Because He knows His people will suffer in this world, and so He knows we will need His comforting presence. And that is precisely the role He gives himself in these verses; He is our chief comforter for “all our trouble”; nothing’s too big and nothing’s too small.

We can experience God’s comfort now if we rest in His presence and His Word.

And there is also true, lasting and unrivalled comfort to come, when God himself will “wipe every tear from [our] eyes”.

Revelation 21:4 gives us that very personal image of God’s care and attention when we finally see Him face to face on that great and glorious day. It shows His understanding of exactly what kind of trials we have been through and pain we have carried.

He wants to be the one to greet us in heaven, wipe our tears away and reassure us that sickness, sadness, uncertainty and death are all behind us. He’s not going to draft in an angel for that greeting; or even a family member we may be looking forward to seeing again past heaven’s doors. He wants to be the One to receive us to give us His eternal comfort.

In this uncomfortable world, we know the One who is our comfort. He has overcome, He is victorious and His kingdom cannot be shaken, even when this one is left reeling from global pandemics. That is our strength and hope. In the world where suffering surrounds us, we look ahead to the world where “‘there will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Lord Jesus, our God of all comfort
who comforts me in all my trouble,
bless me today with the peace of Your presence.

I thank You that You truly know my every pain
and the ache of my heart in these difficult days.
You experienced poverty, hardship,
suffering, rejection and death.
You are my compassionate High Priest
who feels real sympathy for my weakness;
who will never leave or forsake me.

Good Shepherd, carry me, Your wearied lamb,
through the darkness of this valley.
Comfort me with the steady beat of Your good heart
and settle me with whispers of Your eternal love.

Heavenly Father, You know my struggles and weaknesses
Even better than I do.
I ask for Your steady hand to guide me,
Your loving Spirit to shape me,
and Your good presence to comfort me.

Strengthen me for these days,
and may Your love allow me to endure,
knowing You are with me
and will always speak the words I need to hear
so that I will find my rest and peace in You alone.