Daily devotion – Comfort from Scripture.
The God Of All Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
As I write this devotion, our hearts ache and we find ourselves in deep grief for the Jewish people worldwide—those who call Australia home—and especially for the families of the fifteen murdered and the dozens wounded in the Bondi shooting.
Our grief is mixed with righteous anger and a profound sense of loss. In my time serving with the WA Police as a chaplain, I have walked alongside people through death, heartache, and overwhelming grief. Yet no past experience lessens the pain we feel now. Tragedy always wounds afresh.
As we watch the news and hear politicians offer words that often feel empty, nothing can truly soothe the agony of those who have lost loved ones, or of those sitting even now in waiting rooms, praying for family members in critical condition.
In moments like this, my thoughts are drawn to the words of Scripture, and especially to the hope God gives us in the book of Revelation:
*“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’” (Revelation 21:1–5)
The Bible reminds us that a day is coming when grief will be no more—when there will be no more weeping, no more sorrow, and no more death. This is not wishful thinking; it is the certain promise of God.
Our hearts long for heaven, especially in times like these. We are reminded that this world is broken and violent, and yet we also know that our time here is short. Christ is coming for His Church, and one day we will be forever removed from the pain and darkness of this present age.
It is no coincidence that Christmas is now even more present in my thoughts. Into this violent and grieving world, God sent His Son—not to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus Christ came to save us from our sin and to bring true and lasting hope where there is none.
In light of what has happened at Bondi, let us as followers of Christ be even more vigilant. May we share the comfort, compassion, and love of Christ with those who are overwhelmed with fear and despair, and who feel utterly without hope.
Read your Bible. Do not neglect fellowship. Pray without ceasing. The reality of the Last Days has, for many, only just begun—but our God remains the God of all comfort.