The Promise of Comfort: Living for the cause of Christ when life has not turned out like we thought it would...
- A Heart Refined with Rachel Menard
- Jan 6
- 5 min read
“Give me, oh Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downward. Give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out. Give me an upright heart, which no one where the purpose may tempt aside. Bestow on me also, oh Lord, my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness to finally embrace you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Thomas Aquinas
Luke 2:25-38
Not much is known about Simeon, but we do know what kind of man he was based on his fellowship with the Holy Spirit. In three verses, we are told three times that his life was steeped in the spirit of Jesus. His aim in life was to bless God.
He had been praying and waiting for the “consolation of Israel“ (v 25). But what did that mean? Consolation—or Paraklesis in Greek—means to “comfort; encourage joy and gladness; to exhort or strongly urge someone to do something; to alleviate grief or take away a sense of loss or trouble; or to call to one’s side.” (Biblestudytools.com).
The book of Isaiah shows that the promised Messiah would himself be the Ministry of consolation— or comfort— to the Israelites, giving them everything necessary to return to God, the Father (Is 40:1-2; 52:9; 61:1-2). Simeon was faithful to the word of God, given through the profits in the Old Testament. Thus, when he saw Jesus, he knew and proclaimed that salvation and true shalom had come for the Jews and the Gentiles.
If you skim this passage, you may miss the profound relevance of the last three verses about the widow Anna. Although the section is small, her message is powerful: Redemption has come!
Like Simeon, very little is known about Anna. Although she had the grand title of prophetess, her life was small. Yet her heart was committed to fellowship with God. Scripture shows us that she did that specifically through prayer and fasting. Thus, she was just as able to see that the promised Messiah had finally come as her male counterpart. Baby Jesus had come to save the Jews and the Gentiles, men and women Alike.
Before leaving this tiny section, we cannot ignore that Anna’s life did not turn out the way she thought. Scripture does not say this, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that she had given herself whole and pure to her husband when he passed away only seven years into their marriage. By the time we meet her in Scripture, she is 84. So, a lot of information is left out in verse 37.
As noted, it tells us what she was doing during all those years—praying and fasting in the temple—but it leaves to the imagination how hard that must have been. However, what we don’t have to guess is that she accepted God‘s comfort along the way to help her persevere, living a life that was set apart, even though her earthly desires would never be fulfilled.
Therefore, Anna’s response when she held that baby was not jealousy or self-pity. It was joy and worship. Her next step was to go and tell that the One they all had been waiting for had come.
Romans 12:1-2
The Book of Romans was Paul’s letter to the Roman Church, expressing his concern for their welfare. He wanted them to be aware that even though every person would fall short of God's glory through their carnal nature (Romans 3:23), they had been created with a plan in mind. Therefore, they could turn to Jesus, boasting in and living out his character through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8).
Chapter 12 was a warning that false teachers had come, and people were following their flash, but Paul was sharing how followers of Christ were to live. It wasn’t just a better way to do things. They were to be changed completely… to be transformed.
Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 show Jesus being transfigured. This means he underwent a striking change that transformed his appearance, revealing his fullness as a son of God. Paul’s appeal to the Roman believers was that— like Jesus— they must go through this metamorphosis. For them, it would not be in an instant, but it would be the gradual miracle of complete, inward change that affects every area of their life so that their identity is in Christ alone.
From that continuous surrender, others would know that Jesus was, and is, who he said: He is the son of God, robbed and flesh to bring comfort and salvation to all who would believe and call on him as Lord. He died, Rose again, and had ascended to be seated at the Father's right hand so that salvation for the believer would be complete.
2 Timothy 2:19-22
In 1 and 2 Timothy, Paul’s message to his protégé Timothy is to live out the gospel through a renewed life in Christ, no matter the risk. In Chapter 2, he explains how a soldier of Christ—a worker approved by God—should live.
In verses 19-22, Paul clearly demonstrates a vessel set apart for honorable use. He declares that everyone who claims Jesus' name must flee sin and personal passions, living with joy and reverent repentance so that others may see and respond to God‘s call to their lives to His side.
Isaiah 44:1-4
Isaiah 43 ends with a warning of judgment, but chapter 44 shows God’s desire is to help those who turn to him. We can taste the promise of comfort and blessing beyond what we could ask or imagine for us and future generations.
Once again, we do not know much about Anna— or Simeon, for that matter— what we know, though, is that they set themselves aside for a higher purpose. Even though they had personal, earthly desires and dreams, they continually gave themselves over to the renewing of their mind, the cleansing of their flesh for honorable use, and trusting in God, their Maker and Lord who had long ago promised He would send a Messiah, robed in righteousness, bringing salvation, consolation, redemption, and life forevermore.
Has your life turned out differently than you had hoped? How?
Do you battle with feelings of jealousy, bitterness, or self-pity when you see others experiencing the things you had hoped for?
Do you trust in Jesus as your promised comfort and salvation?
Are you willing to let Him use the unexpected challenges in you for a higher purpose?
How is God asking you to join Him in the work He is already doing around you?
What spiritual disciplines are you using on a daily basis that will ensure continual surrender and sweet fellowship with Jesus as your comfort?
Are you living in such a way that Christ can be known through you, even though such hard things have happened to you?
Take time to go back and pray the prayer at the beginning of the devotional. Invite Jesus, your comfort, your joy, and your gladness. He is the One who has born all of your grief, the One who has called you to His side, urging you to do something specific for His glory. Literally, stop what you are doing and take time to worship, inviting the Holy Spirit to bring this Scripture to life in you today.
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