Look to Jehovah for Comfort

"Praised be . . . the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort." -2 CORINTHIANS 1:3.

IMAGINE how the Jewish exiles in Babylon must have felt. They had seen their homeland destroyed. Because of their sins and those of their forefathers, they had been taken from their homes and sent to a foreign land. (2 Chronicles 36:15, 16, 20, 21) Granted, in Babylon the exiles had some freedom to carry out their daily affairs. (Jeremiah 29:4-7) Yet, life was not easy, and it definitely was not the life they would have chosen. How did they feel about their situation? Note the words of one faithful exile: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat. We wept when we remembered Zion." (Psalm 137:1) The downhearted exiles needed comfort, but where could they find it?

Jehovah is "The God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3) As a loving God, he takes pleasure in comforting all who draw close to him. Jehovah knew that some of the exiles would accept his discipline and return to him. (Isaiah 59:20) So more than 100 years before the exile, he inspired the prophet Isaiah to write the book that bears his name. For what purpose? Isaiah states: '"Comfort, comfort my people,' says your God." (Isaiah 40:1) Yes, by means of the prophet's writings, Jehovah provided the comfort that the Jewish exiles would need. 

Like those Jewish exiles, we too need comfort from time to time. In this article, we will consider three ways in which Jehovah comforted the exiles: (1) He promised to forgive repentant ones, (2) he gave his people hope, and (3) he calmed their fears. As we discuss these points, note how we can benefit from Jehovah's reassuring words. 

Next time: JEHOVAH MERCIFULLY FORGIVES US

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