"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."  (Romans 15:4).

         Written things-- far back in the blurred pages of history man learned to write, and thus preserved for posterity things which would otherwise be forgotten, misinterpreted, twisted, etc. Again and again Jesus said to the people, as He established His point, "It is written..." This is more than a "hear-say conclusion," but a specific word of divine origin. It has stood the test of time, and its veracity has been proven again and again. Peter wrote that "no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21). Anointed by the Spirit, it was then recorded, and upon this WRITTEN WORD men have stood firm and been blessed by its outworking in their lives. This is not to imply that just because it is "in print" that we can always immediately run with it, for much of what is written is but the product of the natural mind. Solomon said it well, that "Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (Eccl. 12:12). We do well to "hear what the Spirit saith unto the called out," and not just listen to whatever voice comes to us, or whatever happens to be in print.
         David stated, "The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." (Psalm 12:6). Certainly when the Word proceeds from His mouth it is pure, but as it comes to us through the various messengers it picks up some of the creed and doctrine, mind thought of the messenger, until it is colored and flavored with man. Hence, into the fire it goes-- and since we have received the message into ourselves, INTO THE FIRE WE GO, so that we, and the Word, might be fully purified. It is amazing how we discard various ideas and theories of man whenever we are involved in a trial, and we find that such teachings do not help us, but they crumble under the pressure. When put to the test, in the crucible of severe trial and pressure, we find that what God has spoken through His oracles can be received for our comfort and consolation. Indeed, "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." (Prov. 30:5). So, while betimes the earthen vessel might distort what God speaks, yet when purified seven times the fire will certainly remove the carnality of man's perverting what God speaks, and we would receive only that which HE has anointed and caused to become life within. One thing we have learned through the years is that "truth needs no defense," IT JUST IS, and we can rejoice in what the Spirit speaks and confirms for our day.
          Often the first time a word is used in the scriptures it sets a tone for the meaning of that word-- so we note-- "The Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua." (Exodus 17:14). What God had to say on that occasion was to be remembered, hence the need for a written record so that it could be rehearsed over and over again, until the people were well versed in what God had spoken.
         "And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord..." (Exodus 24:4).
         "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel." (Ex. 34:27).
        All the way through the scripture we have those times when God said "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Rev. 21:5).
         "For all those words which were written long ago are meant to teach us today; that when we read in the scriptures of the endurance of men and of all the help that God gave them in those days, we may be encouraged to go on hoping in our own time. May the God who inspires men to endure, and gives them a Father's care, give you a mind united toward one another because of your common loyalty to Jesus Christ. And then, as one man, you will sing from the heart the praises of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. So open your hearts one to another as Christ has opened His heart to you, and God will be glorified." (Romans 15:4-7, Phillips Translation).
         Comfort-- the Greek word is "paraklesis" meaning: one called alongside, and it has been given as comfort, consolation, encouragement, etc. When spoken of a person it is "parakletos," bespeaking of one called alongside to offer solace, to be an advocate, a comforter, and while there are many levels of comfort given, first and foremost the source of our comfort is God Himself.
         "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Cor . l:3-4).
         Significant that God is spoken of as the "God of ALL comfort." Whatever we might have to offer one another, whatever others have to give to encourage us, the initial Source is God Himself. "What hast thou that thou didst not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:4). That is why God must first comfort us, before we are able to offer others of what we have received from Him. With God being the Source of all comfort, it rightly follows that the holy Spirit is referred to as the Comforter. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." (John 15:26). He not only comes alongside of us, to encourage and strengthen, but He comes to dwell within.

                                                   "Oh, 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 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!" --F. Bottome

         "But the Comforter, which is the holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things..." (John 14:26). Precious are the inner quickenings by the Spirit, as He encourages and comforts us along the way. Dark may be the night, but HE ever is that Guiding Light, teaching us.
         With God as the Source, and the Spirit as the Ministration, we then find that He often uses earthen vessels to convey and share of this divine help. Paul spoke of an occasion when "God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more." (2 Cor. 7:6-7). What a fellowship, what a communion, what a sharing one with another until everyone felt enriched and encouraged to press on in truth. "Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all." (2 Cor. 7;13). How precious, this was not just a selfish thing-- focus on me, comfort me-- but the free flowing from heart to heart caused a rejoicing as they beheld one another being lifted up in renewed confidence and hope in God.
         God, the Source is ever present, and the holy Spirit dwells with us, and so comfort, consolation is ours as He ministers sovereignly, individually to us. However there are often occasions when we are isolated, alone, unable to share face to face with others "of like precious faith." God has tucked us away in our corner, and while we yearn for fellowship, we truly find we are cut off, separated unto Him. Comfort from the saints might be limited betimes-- but there is one more area from which to receive our comfort, for God has anointed men and women to write His message for us, and we have the scriptures for our consolation. Note Moffatt’s translation of Romans 15:4. "All such words were written of old for our instruction, that by remaining stedfast and drawing encouragement from the scripture we may cherish hope."
       THE COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES! "Remember the Word unto thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened me." (Psalm 119 :49 -50).
         "Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy Word unto Thy servant." {Psalm 119:76).
         What could be stated more plainly? "This is my comfort, Thy Word hath quickened me." Whether God has sovereignly spoken within, quickened our spirit to see and believe, or He has leaped from the pages of scripture, as suddenly HE causes a word to become life-- spoken word, written word, thank God for that word which causes us to hope. "Through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Paul writes, "Knowing that tribulation (pressure) worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." (Rom. 5:3-4). In His own unique way God uses the pressures that we go through to develop patience-- and establish our hope. And it is amazing that rather than diminishing our hope, the more trials we go through, when we keep our eyes focused upon Christ, the stronger our hope becomes for the ultimate victory in Christ. Also, our hope is strengthened and fortified by the encouragement of the scriptures. What consolation, what comfort, as HE who is the great Comforter opens His Word to our understanding, refreshing us with the promises and the in workings of God as seen in the lives of the saints who have gone on before us. God knew we would desperately need this reinforcement, the blessed WITNESS OF HIS WORD, and thus He anointed many a messenger with the Spirit of Truth, and said, "Write this...” recording it so that we would have it for this day.
         We have already noted that the word "comfort" means: one called alongside. How marvelous-- we walk through the dark valley and He quickens a certain scripture to walk with us. The Word is a LIVING, life-giving reality. He comes alongside and ministers comfort and encouragement so that we are able to press on. In ways and means that leave us awestruck with such goodness, we find that HE has purposed that we shall come through to His praise. The comfort of the scriptures is more than just a verse pulled from a promise box, it is an ALONGSIDE/INDWELLING Strengthener, a messenger of God to us, and we do well to keep our heart open to receive from Him.
         When storms overtake us, when we are overwhelmed with circumstances, praise God for the scriptures, such as 1 Cor, 10:13, which reassure us that "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." How comforting-- to know that all our travails are common to man and while we may feel like we are walking it out alone, yet HE is ever with us, bringing us to a landing place in Him, so that we are able to stand up under it all. Furthermore, there are vast numbers of people walking out the same trial, were we to know who they are. Indeed, we'd even find that many of our brethren have it much harder than we do, and we pray for their daily undergirding. What changes us from self-centered attitudes? The comfort of the scriptures! Things written for our instruction will turn us around, and we will praise God for His mercy and grace to us-ward.
         A positive word is found in Psalm 90:3, "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayeth, Return ye children of men."
         Moffatt translates: "Thou crumblest man away..."
         Ferrar Fenton gives: "You set men in depression..."
         Young's Literal reads: "Thou turnest man unto a bruised thing."
         Each of these, in the uniqueness of their wording, express some of the deep processing that we must go through. The wise man stated, "I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." (Eccl. 3:10). And Peter writes, "Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Pet. 5:9). It is a universal travail, as the whole of creation is ravaged by the wear and tear of time, is bruised and battered by stress and tension, is wounded by sickness and disease. In one way or another every person experiences some of this bruising. But what COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES is ours when we come to the understanding that it is GOD who has purposed our bruising, and all of it with a view to the time when He says, "RETURN, ye children of men." There will be a returning to Father's house-- as the whole of creation is restored into the glorious liberty that belongs to the children of God.
         But in the meantime we are more and more aware of how the creature waits for the hour of deliverance. Yet out of the severity of every bruising, God works a purpose so glorious and holy, that we marvel at such wisdom and creativity, for He is able to both break us and simultaneously make us whole in Himself. It is a mystery of the handiwork of God, that in our breaking we are made whole, in our emptiness we are made full, and though we experience the depth of despair, He upholds us with His love and care.
        "YOU set men in depression." One of the overwhelming maladies of our time is depression-- and hardly a home exists where there is not someone that suffers from this experience in one way or another. For some it is just a daily mounting up in Christ to overcome, and for others it is devastating and debilitating until they can hardly function in daily living, as they cry out for God to succor them. So it comes as a very precious word that HE who set men in this trial, also has purposed a time when He shall say, "RETURN, ye children of men," and with their mind stayed upon Christ, they shall be lifted out of the depth of this pit, and find a new realm of life and peace-- lovingly ministered to them by their Creator. If ever there was a comfort of the Scriptures it is in this word "return," as He promises that we shall be gathered into His bosom and find our peace in Him.

                                                      Sometimes the day stretches onward, another weary mile.
                                                      Depression measured by degrees, to test the strength to smile.
                                                      A heavy weight within the chest, one scarce can draw a breath,
                                                      This, too, He knows, and walks with thee through valley shades of death.

                                                      His overcoming is the goal, that's why He undergirds.
                                                      His everlasting arms uphold, He whispers comfort words.
                                                      'Tis not a self-help course to run, the final work is His.
                                                      We learn to put our trust in Him, He knows the way it is.

                                                      He asks us to hold steady while He works His purpose rare.
                                                      And we walk out our path with Him, and cast on Him our care.
                                                      Oh, God, Oh, God, where art Thou now? I feel so all alone.
                                                      "Fear not, My child, thou art secure, I claim thee for My own."

         "I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself." (Psalm 119:52). There are those who wonder how the two words, "comfort" and "judgments," could be used together in the same sentence. But the more God quickens to us the truth concerning His judgments, that they are His acts of correction to bring us into one with Himself, then we are comforted by His Word, and, as the Psalmist said, "I have HOPED in Thy judgments." (Psalm 119:43). Every sentence against iniquity is executed by His hand of mercy, and becomes another step forward into the newness of His life.
         It is an awesome thing to find that a "word of scripture" spoken long ago is now finding fulfillment in our day and time, as we experience His handiwork. The holy Spirit shines upon a "word" and it is exactly what happens to us. His truth comes up alongside and ministers hope-- an expectation of victory, and we are comforted, refreshed, and reassured that all is well. True, there may be many levels of application of a certain scripture, each with some specific meaning individually applied to us, but that is because the Spirit of Truth is able to comfort each of us according to our need-- and always what He reveals is JUST RIGHT for the occasion. The more we read the Word, with His anointing quickening it within, the more we find His message that fits our need, and we can say "It is written," and firmly stand thereon.
         Betimes we see the corruption and iniquity abounding all around us, and we fear for our children's sake. We earnestly pray for God to daily protect and keep them. Yet there are some that seem determined to go their own way, self-will rules, and there is nought that we can do to alter their course. Ah, then is when we need the comfort of the scriptures, need to cast our burdens on the Lord, to find in Him our hope. And then is when we find that the Word has come alongside of us to comfort and strengthen us, and we hear the blessed scripture again, "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Rom. 5:20). How we need that understanding! Need to "comfort one another with these words." If we could borrow from what Paul once wrote in 1 Thess. 4:18. There is a "building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the holy Spirit," (Jude 20), as we draw comfort from His Word.
         For "IT IS WRITTEN in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God." (John 6:45). Further- more, the prophet says, "And great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isa. 54:13). Here again Jesus reaffirms what He is saying, with the words of the prophet, "It is written." Some may read the words of the prophet and discount them because of their own tradition and doctrine. But Jesus reached back into the word spoken long ago, tells it like it is Himself, and then confirms it by the word of the prophet. We may look at the present circumstances and wonder how this could ever be, but "it is written," and specifically for the purpose of giving us His comfort , that we "might have hope." Beloved friend, the end is secure in Christ– this the scriptures makes very clear. Praise God!
          Situations arise wherein it seems like "an host should encamp against me," (Psalm 27:3), yet IT IS WRITTEN, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord." (Isa. 54:17). We can look at the iniquity abounding, we can hear the vile accusations, we can shudder at the evil intent of men-- or, we can "Gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13). And we find that comfort which can only be ours as we gird up our minds with "it is written."
         While there are many ways in which the Scriptures can be used to bless us, help us in our trials, etc. as we see in the 3-fold temptation of Christ, when Jesus faced every onslaught with "It is written," (Matt. 4:4-l0), and He stood firm upon the Word of His Father as declared by the prophets, yet the emphasis right now is on the COMFORT that can be received from what is written. With the Scriptures we face our battles. With the Scriptures we are fortified to press on in our walk with God. With the Scriptures we gain insight into the ways and workings of our God. But it is also with the Scriptures that we are encouraged, refreshed, strengthened, comforted with the knowing that "There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant." (1 Kings 8:57).
         How precious is the word of the Psalmist, "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord." (Psalm 102:17-18). Yes, it was true for the Psalmist' day, with an assurance that God heard and answered their prayer. But there is also that embracing of the WORD FOR OUR DAY-- knowing that these things which have been written were written for the generation to come, and we are a part of that generation. There was hope for the time then present, and there is HOPE FOR OUR NOW because these things were especially written with a view towards our need, and our day and time, so that we can boldly declare "it is written" and find our consolation in His Word. There is not a single generation that has been excluded-- the holy Spirit, the blessed Comforter, causes the Word to become a PRESENT APPLICATION, and we can read it again-- "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matt. 24:34). The reference is not just to a time period-- Jesus' day, the early church day, with some particular time on the calendar, etc. but it also refers to a PEOPLE-- as it is written, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9). Let this Word come up alongside of you and be your comfort. Walk with it along the way. Tell it again, there is a generation-- and you are called to be a part of that holy people-- IT IS WRITTEN-- believe it, embrace it, and rejoice in its truth, for these things have been "Written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
         Paul's testimony rang true, stating-- "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God..." (Acts 24:14-15). The Scriptures, the law, and the prophets, became a source of tremendous comfort to Paul. This was far more than the tradition and creed of the religions of the day-- down through the years holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit. And it requires the quickening of the same Spirit which spoke it then, to anoint it into our hearts today, and as He does it brings us much hope. We need to "be established in the present truth." (2 Pet. 1:12). Truth that comes to be ALONGSIDE. As the Spirit anoints His Word within us, our hope shall spring forth, and we shall walk with Him into the fullness of His victory.
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(1)Prinzing, Ray and Doris "Letters of Truth"  Boise, Idaho 83705, P.O. Box 5822

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