FINDING PEACE, HOPE, AND COMFORT IN TODAY’S WORLD OF CHAOS, EVIL, AND TRIBULATION

 FINDING PEACE, HOPE, AND COMFORT IN TODAY’S WORLD OF CHAOS,                                               EVIL, AND TRIBULATION

D.P. Weary, December, 2022

 

In these days of trouble, evil, and tribulation can we find comfort, hope, peace, and even joy? In this world, the Lord Jesus said we would have trouble and tribulation.

[Jhn 16:33 NKJV] 33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

[Jhn 15:19-21 NKJV] 19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

[Act 14:22 NKJV] 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting [them] to continue in the faith, and [saying], "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

[Rom 8:36 NKJV] 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

[2Ti 3:12 NKJV] 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

 

There is a reason why people, even Christians can not find peace and hope in our world today. They do not believe, or even know the scriptures and the prophets.

[Luk 24:25 ESV] 25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

[Act 13:27 NKJV] 27 "For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled [them] in condemning [Him].

[Mat 22:29 NKJV] 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

[2Ch 24:19 NKJV] 19 Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.

[Neh 9:30 NKJV] 30 Yet for many years You had patience with them, And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

 

So, let us now turn to the scriptures and the prophets to find peace, hope, comfort, encouragement, and even joy, not only for us, but that with which we can comfort and encourage others in the days that lie ahead of us.

 

Finding HOPE in the midst of Turmoil and Tribulation

D. P. Weary - May 2019.

In a world that is becoming more chaotic daily, where evil seems to be everywhere, where there is trouble around every corner and hopelessness abounds, can real, true hope be found? What is true hope? Can it be found in such days as we are living in? Who has it and what are they doing with it? Good questions. Let us turn to the Word of God to see if we can find some answers.

The word Hope from the Hebrew (O.T.):

מִבְטָח mibṭâch, mib-tawkh'; from H982; properly, a refuge, i.e. (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance:—confidence, hope, sure, trust.

קָוָה qâvâh, kaw-vaw'; a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect: —gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

מַחֲסֶה machăçeh, makh-as-eh'; or מַחְסֶה machçeh; from H2620; a shelter (literally or figuratively):—hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.

תִּקְוָה tiqvâh, tik-vaw'; from H6960; (compare H6961) literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy:—expectation(-ted), hope, live, thing that I long for.

יָחַל yâchal, yaw-chal'; a primitive root; to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope: — (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait.

The word Hope from the Greek (N.T.):

ἐλπίς elpís, el-pece'; from a primary ἔλπω élpō (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence: —faith, hope.

I.expectation of good, hope

A.           in the Christian sense

                                             i.joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

           II.on hope, in hope, having hope

 .             the author of hope, or he who is its foundation

A.           the thing hoped for

 

By definition: Hope is the expectation and anticipation of good, joyful, and confident expectation, and the author and foundation of hope. Hope is a refuge, security, trust, confidence, something to patiently tarry or wait for, a place of shelter and refuge, and something longed for.

Where can we find the HOPE that the Biblical words for hope describe?

Hope and faith are found in God.

[1Pe 1:21 NKJV] 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

[Lam 3:24 NKJV] 24 "The LORD [is] my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"

[1Th 1:3 NKJV] 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

True hope is the Lord Jesus Christ.

[1Ti 1:1 NKJV] 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

[Col 1:27 NKJV] 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

[Jer 17:7, 13 NKJV] 7 "Blessed [is] the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. ... 13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. "Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the LORD, The fountain of living waters."

[Jer 17:17-18 NKJV] 17 Do not be a terror to me; You [are] my hope in the day of doom. 18 Let them be ashamed who persecute me, But do not let me be put to shame; Let them be dismayed, But do not let me be dismayed. Bring on them the day of doom, And destroy them with double destruction!

 

There are great blessings to be found in true HOPE.

Hope is knowing that Jesus been raised from the dead and has defeated death and the grave forever. Death has lost its sting.

[1Co 15:12-19 NKJV] 12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching [is] empty and your faith [is] also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if [the] dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith [is] futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

[1Co 15:54-55 NKJV] 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O Death, where [is] your sting? O Hades, where [is] your victory?"

 

Hope is knowing that at Jesus is coming for His saints, the dead will rise first, then those saints who are alive at that time will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air and thus always be with the Lord. We are to comfort one another with these words. It is Jesus who keeps His saints from the wrath of God that is coming upon the whole world.

[1Th 4:13-18 NKJV] 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [and] remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

[Rom 5:9 NKJV] 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

[1Th 1:10 NKJV] 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, [even] Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

[1Th 5:9 NKJV] 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

[Rev 3:10 NKJV] 10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Also: 1 Thes. 1:10, 4:15-18, 5:1-11; 2 Thes. 2:1-8; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Luke 17:34-36; Rev. 3:10, 6:12-17, 7:11-15; John 11:23-26, Zeph. 2:3; Isa. 26:20-21; Gen. 19:15-16, 6: Exod. 19:4; Psalm 17:8, 27:5, 31:20, 57:1, 91:8-9, 12:1-5, 17:8, 15, 31:10-21, 32:7, 94:12-13.

 

Hope is the grace and glory that is to brought at the revelation and appearing of Jesus Christ. The blessed hope is the glorious appearing of Jesus.

[1Pe 1:13 NKJV] 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest [your] hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

[Tit 2:13 NKJV] 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

[Phl 3:20 NKJV] 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

[2Ti 4:8 NKJV] 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

[2Pe 3:13 NKJV] 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

 

Hope, joy, and the crown of rejoicing are believers in the presence of Jesus at His coming.

[1Th 2:19 NKJV] 19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Is it] not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

 

Hope is knowing that followers of Jesus are the children of God and that when Jesus is revealed, we shall be like Him.

[1Jo 3:1-3 NKJV] 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

 

Hope is the glory which shall be revealed in believers at the redemption of our earthly bodies that we eagerly and with perseverance wait for.

[Rom 8:18-25 NKJV] 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected [it] in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only [that], but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for [it] with perseverance.

 

Hope is salvation and eternal life because of Jesus.

[Tit 3:7 NKJV] 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

[Tit 1:2 NKJV] 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

[1Th 5:8 NKJV] 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.

 

Because of Hope, believers are not afraid, and not troubled even in times of suffering.

[1Pe 3:14-15 NKJV] 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, [you are] blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

[Jos 1:9 NKJV] 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go."

[Psa 27:5 NKJV] 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

[Psa 31:20 NKJV] 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

[Psa 91:9-11 NKJV] 9 Because you have made the LORD, [who is] my refuge, [Even] the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

 

Hope is the Lord’s calling upon believer’s lives and the riches of His inheritance in the saints.

[Eph 1:18 NKJV] 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

[Eph 4:4 NKJV] 4 [There is] one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

 

Hope is the ministry of righteousness, the ministry of the Spirit. Hope is the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives.

[2Co 3:7-12 NKJV] 7 But if the ministry of death, written [and] engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which [glory] was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation [had] glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away [was] glorious, what remains [is] much more glorious. 12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—

 

Hope comes from the patience and comfort of the Scriptures that brings joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Patience, comfort, joy, and peace are the blessings of hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

[Rom 15:4, 13 NKJV] 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ... 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Hope is the promises made by God to the Jewish fathers of the faith in God. God’s promises are sure and true. He has made covenants with the Jewish fathers of the faith and by adoption into the family of God through Jesus, all who are found in Jesus are partakers in these promises.

[Act 26:6 NKJV] 6 "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.

 

Hope is seeking and setting our minds on things above and not things on the earth. Like Jesus did as He faced the cross; for the joy set before us, we can endure the turmoil, tribulation, and chaos of the current world which is passing away. Hope is always keeping our eyes on Jesus and the promises and blessings that are found in Him!

[Col 3:1-4 NKJV] 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ [who is] our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

[Heb 12:1-2 NLT] 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.

[1Jo 2:17 NASB] 17 The world is passing away, and [also] its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

 

 

Faith is necessary to find true HOPE.

 [Heb 11:6 NKJV] 6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

[Heb 11:1 NKJV] 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is what gives us evidence of the invisible, spiritual world.

 “Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and the author is saying that it has its reasons. Its tests are not those of the senses, which yield uncertainty.” (Morris) “Physical eyesight produces a conviction or evidence of visible things; faith is the organ which enables people to see the invisible order.” (Bruce)

Faith is needed for what we can’t see and can’t touch.

Faith goes beyond reason but is not in contradiction or against reason.

Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to.

 

Only through faith in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, and in the Bible (the Word of God) can true hope be found because true HOPE is the Lord Jesus. All of the blessings of true hope are found in, though, and because of Him; His death, resurrection, and soon appearing or coming again. Do you want to find hope? Find Jesus. Do you want to be a source of hope to others? Lead them to Jesus!

 

  

Scriptures of Hope, Comfort, and Peace, Encouragement and Joy for times of turmoil and trouble

D.P. Weary

April 2011

 

What is the special “hope, comfort, and peace” that we as Christians are supposed to have? How do we get them? How do we give them to others?

 

Our hope is found in Christ Jesus and His promises to those that believe and trust in Him. It is a hope of obtaining righteousness. It is a hope of salvation and eternal life. It is a hope of His calling. It is a hope of a new world and a new life. It is a hope of the Lord coming for both the living and the dead at the end this current age. It is a hope of exultation in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming. It is the hope that He will help us through the tough times in life. It is the promises that He is our protector and our hiding place in times of trouble. It is Christ that is our hope. It is Christ in us that is the hope of glory. It is the Lord and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace. We have hope because we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This hope is within us through the Holy Spirit. This hope is God.

 

We obtain hope through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures. We obtain hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. We obtain this hope by giving our lives to God by believing in Jesus the Son and being filled with His Holy Spirit.

 

I.           Hope

Rom 5:1 NASB - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 5:2 NASB - through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:3 NASB - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

Rom 5:4 NASB - and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

Rom 5:5 NASB - and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Rom 8:25 NASB - But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Rom 12:12 NASB - rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

Rom 15:4 NASB - For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Rom 15:13 NASB - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2Cr 1:10 NASB - who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,

Gal 5:5 NASB - For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

Eph 1:12 NASB - to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

Eph 1:18 NASB - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Eph 4:4 NASB - There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

Col 1:5 NASB - because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

Col 1:23 NASB - if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Col 1:27 NASB - to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1Th 1:3 NASB - constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

1Th 2:19 NASB - For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

1Th 4:13 NASB - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

1Th 5:8 NASB - But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

2Th 2:16 NASB - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,

1Ti 1:1 NASB - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

Tts 1:2 NASB - in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

Tts 2:13 NASB - looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Tts 3:7 NASB - so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Hbr 6:18 NASB - so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

Hbr 6:19 NASB - This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,

Hbr 10:23 NASB - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

1Pe 1:3 NASB - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Pe 1:13 NASB - Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1Pe 1:21 NASB - who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1Pe 3:15 NASB - but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

 

II.        Comfort

The Scriptures admonish us to “comfort and encourage” one another. What is this comfort and how do we “comfort and encourage” others?

 

It is God who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction. This comfort comes through Christ. God comforts us when we are filled with comfort.  The comfort is Jesus working through the Holy Spirit. We are comforted by knowing that God loves us, will never leave us or forsake us, takes care of us, protects us, heals us, provides for us, and whether dead or alive will come for us to take us to be with Him forever at the end of this age. We are comforted when we believe that God has a plan and has made that plan known to those that love Him. We are comforted when we believe that He is always in control no matter what the worldly circumstances look like. We are comforted when we know God’s plan and know the outcome of that plan for it is very good! We are comforted when we know that His Kingdom is coming and that His will, will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We are comforted when we know that we are citizens of that Kingdom and will sit beside Him upon His Throne to rule and reign with Him for all eternity as His Bride. We are encouraged when we realize who we are in Christ Jesus!

 

Act 9:31 NASB - So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

2Cr 1:3 NASB - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

2Cr 1:4 NASB - who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2Cr 1:5 NASB - For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

2Cr 7:4 NASB - Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

2Cr 7:13 NASB - For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

1Th 4:18 NASB - Therefore comfort one another with these words.

2Th 2:16 NASB - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,

2Th 2:17 NASB - comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

 

III.     Encouragement

Col 4:8 NASB - For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

1Th 3:2 NASB - and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

1Th 5:11 NASB - Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Hbr 3:13 NASB - But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Act 20:32 NASB - "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

 

In a world full of strife, turmoil and evil, real peace is a hard commodity to find. Real “peace” is peace in the midst of the storms of life. This peace is not freedom or absence of trouble. This peace is a gift from God to those that love and obey Him. In the world we will have trouble but in Jesus we have peace because He has overcome the world. This peace quiets the troubled and fearful heart. This peace is a gift from the God of hope who fills us with joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Spirit we will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God through Jesus has made peace through the blood of His cross. Now the Lord of peace Himself grants us peace in every circumstance because He is Peace. This peace is given and multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 

IV.       Peace

Jhn 14:27 NASB - "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Jhn 16:33 NASB - "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

Act 10:36 NASB - "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—

Rom 5:1 NASB - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 14:17 NASB - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Rom 15:13 NASB - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gal 5:22 NASB - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 NASB - gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Col 1:20 NASB - and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

2Th 3:16 NASB - Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

1Pe 3:11 NASB - "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

2Pe 1:2 NASB - Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

 

We give hope, comfort and peace to others by telling them about Jesus. We preach the Gospel, we teach others the Scriptures, we share God’s love with them, we lead them into a loving relationship with Jesus and we teach them about being filled with the Holy Spirit. People get hope, comfort and peace when they are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

When we have the hope, comfort and peace that come from God through a loving relationship with Jesus, We find true joy. We find joy when we think that the God became a human and loved us so much as to give Himself as a sacrifice for us. Jesus, the angels and we are filled with joy when people give their lives to Him and make Him the Lord of their lives. We have joy when we consider the reward that is stored up for us in Heaven. We find joy when we realize the great authority and power that God has entrusted in us through the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Our joy is made full when we realize the power of prayer. We have great joy in knowing that Jesus has chosen us to be His Bride and to rule and reign with Him for all eternity. It is the God of hope that fills us with all joy and peace. Though we have not seen Him, we love Him, and though we do not see Him now, but believe in Him, we greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

V.         Joy

Mat 25:21 NASB - "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

Luk 1:14 NASB - "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

Luk 2:10 NASB - But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

Luk 6:23 NASB - "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

Luk 10:17 NASB - The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."

Jhn 3:29 NASB - "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.

Jhn 15:11 NASB - "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Jhn 16:20 NASB - "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.

Jhn 16:22 NASB - "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Jhn 16:24 NASB - "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

Jhn 17:13 NASB - "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.

Act 13:52 NASB - And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Act 15:3 NASB - Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.

Rom 14:17 NASB - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Rom 15:13 NASB - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gal 5:22 NASB - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Phl 2:2 NASB - make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

1Th 2:19 NASB - For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

1Th 2:20 NASB - For you are our glory and joy.

Phm 1:7 NASB - For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Hbr 12:2 NASB - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1Pe 1:8 NASB - and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

 

 

Therefore, comfort and encourage one another with these words.