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REFLECTION

Seeking a comforter is the theme for our reflection. A comforter is a person who provides consolation. It is believed that the Prophet Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentation. His words of lament were most probably written soon after Israel was captured and exiled by the Babylonian empire. Israel is personified as one who has sinned against God and has been punished. In her punishment and afflictions, she seeks a comforter but no one turns to her. Regardless of the fact that her sins led her to incur the wrath of God, Israel still calls on God for His mercy and comfort. “Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore she became filthy; all who honoured her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away. Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall is terrible; she has no comforter. “O LORD, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!” Lamentations 1:8-9

Dear friend, when we are afflicted by our sins or suffer as a result of our bad decision, who do we turn to for comfort? Usually, friends and family are unsympathetic towards our plight and we are left alone in our afflictions. Should a Christian refuse to comfort a person simply because he or she is the cause of his or her own suffering? Should we neglect prisoners because they are in prison as a result of their crimes, Should we neglect a patient with HIV/AIDS because he or she may be the cause of his or her own predicament? Dear friend, people who suffer as a result of their sins also seek comfort and we must turn to them to show compassion and comfort them. We must be like the Father of the prodigal son in Luke 15 who forgave and showed compassion to his son by running to embrace and comfort him when he returned home. Let us not be like the elder brother of the prodigal son who was judgemental and begrudged his father for warmly receiving his younger brother. We must comfort others including the brother or sister suffering as a result of his or her disobedience to God.

Beloved in the Lord, it is very important to acknowledge the fact that we must bear the fruit of repentance even as we pray for God to comfort and save us in our afflictions, it is for this reason, God says in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 that “… I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) Dear friend, how do we pray for God to comfort, heal and save us yet we are not ready to repent from our wicked and sinful ways? God is not an ambulance service or an intensive care doctor who we only call upon to comfort and save us in a time of emergency but soon after we are healed or treated and discharged, we go back to our former wicked or sinful ways. This is how some Christians approach God, we take delight in sinning or disobeying God but immediately we find ourselves in afflictions and calamities we seek comfort and redemption from God, and once we are delivered we go back to our former ways. Israel was no exception. Let us remain faithful to God at all times, there is immeasurable joy and peace in living according to the will of God. When we walk with the Lord we do not need to seek His comfort because Jesus promised us that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) therefore “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate (comforter) to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17). Those who are in the Lord need not seek a comforter and those who are estranged from the Father like the Israelites and prodigal son will receive His comfort and forgiveness when they return to Him through repentance and regeneration. John H Sammis (1887) reminds us through his song that

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, remember me in my afflictions, deliver me from my sins and make me whole again through repentance and total submission and obedience to Your Word. Amen