The arrival of a Savior for all: Ultimate comfort

Take a few moments to close your eyes and picture your perfect late autumn evening. What images come to mind? As the weather has started to become colder and the leaves have nearly all abandoned the fall trees, I find myself looking forward to nights by a warm fire, with a cozy blanket and fresh cup of hot chocolate. In my perfect evening, the air is calm and the soft light from the fire casts a comforting glow into the room. Comfort can come in a variety of forms, but for many of us it is embodied by our homes, our safe havens. In Isaiah we learn about the ultimate safe haven that awaits us. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. (Isaiah 32: 2)

Both of today’s passages remind us of what is to come. They remind us that God will provide us with unparalleled comfort if we remain faithful in and through Him. While He does not promise us a life free from turmoil, the focus remains on what is waiting. In Revelation, we receive a visual that holds the throne as a focal point. This shows us that we surround Him, who is at the center of it all. As we consider this image, I ask that you reflect upon that with which you surround yourself in this life. Perhaps it is family and friends, or maybe it is pets or plants. Whatever it may be, ensure that it is does not distract or distort your primary focus on God.

Even in our darkest times, we find that He continues to provide us with the comfort of an eternal safe haven of our own. In this Advent season, as we look forward to a joyous celebration, let us again rejoice in the opportunity to give thanks for Him who warms us throughout the year. As theologian and pastor Samuel Rutherford once said, Of all created comforts, God is the lender; you are the borrower, not the owner. Our current comforts are borrowed, but our eternal comfort awaits.