False Comforters
Gen 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. 36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
How could the very sons that masterminded this terrible deed be the same ones that comfort Jacob? This false comfort is so typical. The same that is the architect of your sorrow is your chief comforter … what a deception? Can men truly comfort you? Are not most of their comforts false? How could Jacob be comforted by the same people who almost murdered Joseph and whose prayer was that Joseph will never be seen again. Many brethren and sisters prefer to be comforted by lies instead of going to the word of God for comfort that is true and real.
Are you in grief? Indeed all the people around you may mean well … though some are liars … alas you must go and get the word of God. Find a Bible and read the words of comfort from God. The Bible is so rich in true comfort unlike any other book you will ever find. Many contemporary writers and motivational speakers want to exclude Bible exposition thinking this too heavy for hearers but there is only false comfort outside scripture … only clever lies or temporary fixes masked by false compassion. The brothers of Joseph could have won an Oscar for great dramatic performance. The wicked have become your comforters … may God help you. I pray you will learn to go to God and spare yourself the discovery that the best of men are men. God is waiting for you. He will wipe away your tears and tell you that all is well. You will find that hard to believe just as Jacob did … and perhaps you are able to justify your position. But that does not change the situation that all is well.
Stop mourning … lift up your eyes and be comforted. The dreams of men may have collapsed but the plans of God are perfectly intact … they only need to be rescued from clutches of men. Soon you will see clearly that God is good … and all the time. The Comforter has come. Do not weep any more.
Song.
O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let ev’ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found- The Comforter has come!
The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast! The Comforter has come!
Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To ev’ry captive soul a full deliverance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings; The Comforter has come!
Words: Frank Bottome, 1890 .
Prayer: O Lord, often I cannot see your goodness … help me to know you are often best when you do not permit me to have my way. Comfort me in all my confusions. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
