Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
In Ecclesiastes chapter 4 Solomon continues his complaining about things that just are not fair. He takes a look at those who are in oppression and had no comforter. It just did not seem right. This is an interesting thought. Who has no comfort? Is it possible to find comfort during difficult trials and struggles? Where does comfort come from? Well let's jump ahead into the New Testament.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
In life there are really only two types of people. There is only one big issue that separates us as human beings. We can debate a million different issues, go round and round on the details. But really what it all boils down to is there are those who know God, and those who don't. Isn't that really what separates us? Not race, or location, or blue collar, white collar.
When we face hard times, those who don't know God will have no hope, no joy, no comfort, because everything in their lives that used to hold all those things has now fallen apart. Those who know God their hope is built in things that are eternal. The hope of eternity in Heaven. The joy of salvation, the peace that what ever happens in this world will some day be over and we will spend eternity in a place of perfection.
Solomon concludes in Verse 2 that "the dead who had already died are happier than the living" Amen and Hallelujah he is right. In Philippians 1:21 Paul writes " For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." For those that know God, and have trusted Jesus Christ as their savior, it is far better for us to die, than continue with the struggles we face here on earth. And we find comfort knowing that someday we will. But what about those who don't know God, and have never trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior? They are left uncomforted, with a death that will be far worse than any oppression one could face on Earth.
Action step for today. Figure out where you have been receiving your comfort. Is it in things that can be taken away? Or is it the Truth of Knowing God and Jesus Christ as your savior. Once you figure that out, take the following steps.
1) If your comfort is in things that will pass, find the Truth that Jesus Christ is. admit that you are a sinner and in need of Salvation. Repent which means turn away from the things you know are wrong, and start walking toward Christ.
2) If your comfort already comes from your of knowing of God, and you have already trusted Jesus as your savior, then start living like it. Stop walking around like those who have no comfort, start walking in victory. Start living what you say you believe!
