The weeping prophet Jeremiah asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” He wished his head were a fountain so that he could cry for his people who had been killed. We feel that way these days. Did you hear the story of Jacques Hamel, the eighty-six year old priest slain at the Communion table in France? As I write, we receive news of a sixteen year old named Noah who has died of cancer. We prayed for him only moments ago. Is there a balm? Where will we find comfort? In the Lord.
Paul wrote to his friends in Corinth and began with a doxology: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” Our God is a compassionate Father and the source of all comfort. The comfort we receive is the comfort we give to others. God comforts us, not so that we will be comfortable but so that we will become comforters of others.
What do we have to offer to a dying world? The comforting message of life. Thankfully, our God knows his way out of the grave. So with Paul we say defiantly, “Where death is your sting? Where grave is your victory?” Our Savior has overcome death, our darkest enemy. When we experience His comfort then we offer it to others as well.
