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I. COMFORT.

1. What it is.

(1) Our natural refreshment. We cannot enjoy our temporal mercies with any delight without God's blessing (Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Acts 14:17).

(2) Our support in troubles (Psalm 119:50; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Acts 9:31).

(a) God can give His people comfort in the greatest tribulation (Isaiah 12). As long as we have God to stand by us and the promise of eternal life trouble will be counterbalanced (Romans 5:2, 3; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Isaiah 40:1, 2; Matthew 9:2).

(b) There is special allowance of comfort for God's people in affliction (1 Peter 4:14). As the mother keeps most with the sick child, so God looks to the afflicted. This is the difference between God and the world; the world ever runs after those that are prosperous, as rivers into the sea, where there are waters enough.

(c) Our comforts carry proportion with our sorrows (2 Corinthians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

2. What it is to have our hearts comforted. The heart is the proper seat of spiritual comfort (Psalm 4:7). God's comfort is like a soaking shower that goes to the root, whereas the dew only wets the surface. Other comforts refresh the outward man. The joy of the world makes a great noise but leaves the heart sorrowful. God in dealing with the heart uses means, but His Spirit works immediately by —

(1)  Opening the understanding to see the grounds of comfort (Romans 15:13).

(2)  By raising the heart to the lively act of joy (Acts 13:52).

3. In what sense it is of God.

(1)  When it is allowed by Him (Ecclesiastes 5:18).

(2)  When the matter is provided by Him (John 14:1).

(3)  When by these means He worketh comfort (Romans 14:17).

II. WHY THIS IS OF GOD.

1. Because God challenges as His own the right to comfort the heart (Job 34:29).

2. Though the grounds of comfort be never so clear, yet if God concur not, we find not the effect.

3. Because of the advantages springing from this source. Our comforts —

(1) Come with more authority, and silence all our doubts and fears (Psalm 94:19). If comfort be made of our own fancy it will be like a spider's web that is weaved out of its own bowels, but is easily swept away.

(2) Are full and strong. For God works like Himself, and therefore can and will support His people in the greatest difficulties.

(a)  They are full (Acts 13:52; 2 Corinthians 7:4; John 15:11).

(b)  Strong (Hebrews 6:18).

III. THE USES.

1. To reprove Christians for over-much dejection and fainting in troubles. Why are we so much cast down? Is there no balm in Gilead or comfort in God?

2. If all comfort be of God, let us go to Him for it.

(1) See that you are qualified for it. Comfort follows holiness, as heat fire. The Spirit is first a Sanctifier and then a Comforter (Ephesians 1:13, 14).

(2) Expect not a singular way of comfort besides the Word, prayer, Lord's supper, etc.

3. Consider the ends for which God gives comfort — to fortify us against the enemies of our salvation.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

WEB: comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.