True Comfort Amidst the Comforts of This Life

Written by Pastor Nuckols Tuesday, 07 December 2010 11:06

Comfort. Where can it be found? Martin Luther wrote--"First, warn yourself to beware of solitude and to converse constantly with others about the Psalms and Scriptures. Then, although this is hard to do, and is a very present remedy, persuade yourself, if you can, that such thoughts are really not yours but Satan's, and that you should strive with all your might to turn your mind to other things and leave such thoughts to him.

Dwelling on these thoughts, wrestling with them, wishing to conquer them or wishing idly for them to come to an end will only make them more disturbing and strengthen them unto perdition without providing a remedy. The best thing is to let them vanish as they came and not to think much about them or dispute with them. I have no other counsel for you, if you neglect to do this. You must know, however, that it is hard to follow this advice. For when we are disturbed by such thoughts about God and eternal salvation, it is our nature to refuse to give up or despise them until we have reached the conclusion that it is impossible to achieve the certainty and victory we desire by dwelling upon and disputing with these thoughts. Our own powers and ideas are not sufficient to cope with such matters. Satan knows this very well. Therefore, he suggests such thoughts and makes them seem so important to us that we are unwilling to leave them or turn aside from them but wish to scrutinize them and think them through to the end. To do so is to surrender to Satan and let him reign.

But that you who are tempted may divert your thoughts, listen to the words of some good fraternal counsel as to the voice of God from heaven. So I have often been refreshed by the words Pastor Bugenhagen once spoke to me: "You ought not to despise my consolation because I am convinced that I speak words of God from heaven." Then you who are tempted will understand the text, "Thy Word hath quickened me." Christ suffered a like temptation when He said to Satan, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." With these words He conquered the devil and enabled us to conquer him, too. Truly, thoughts of this kind are nothing but a tempting of God; although we do not think it while they are present but esteem them as important and very profitable to salvation, they tempt us to oppose God even if we do not dare in our hearts to despise Him or say to Him, "Thou art not God," and, "I do not wish Thee to be my God." Nevertheless, it is necessary to speak thus in order to make you turn away from such thoughts and think of God in a different way. This can be done by believing the Word of Him who can comfort you and lead you back to God and by placing your reliance on that Word. I have been diffuse, although I have not said enough, because I know from experience what Satan can do with this kind of temptation.

Finally, pray and believe that God will help, for surely you who believe will be helped. Do not struggle and suffer alone! All of us should aid you in our prayers and bear your burdens.

In addition, if Satan should not let up, bear this patiently knowing that what Satan cannot take suddenly by force and cunning, he will try to wear down by his relentless perseverance. It is as the psalmist sings, "Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me." To behold this is a joy to God and the angels, and it will have a salutary and blessed end."