The tragedy of not receiving comfort

"Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 NLT)

I think these are some of the saddest verses in the Bible. What a tragedy! The desperation and emptiness of not being comforted. 

Solomon's conclusion at the end of his long life, with all its ups and downs, is that a life without God is meaningless. He sees people who have not been comforted and his conclusion is stark: We are better off dead rather than living without comfort. A bold statement, but one we should take to heart. In fact, Solomon does not stop there. Those that have died had experienced a comfortless life; they never knew the quiet enjoyment or contentment which comes when we are comforted. They never experienced the relief from their pain or affliction. And so Solomon concludes it's better not to be born rather than to live uncomforted. What a tragedy!

You can see why I think these are among the saddest verses in the Bible.

Sadly, many of us turn to false comforts in order to try and fill the void within us. These false comforts (such as sex, drugs, alcohol, food, shopping, relationships etc) bring relief in the short term but will ultimately end up disappointing and letting us down. They are like medicine which only has a short-term effect; when the medicine has run its course, the pain returns. 

This is not the way the Father would have us live for he is the Father of ALL comfort. Today I pray that this comfort will begin to fill your heart and you would be able to experience satisfaction and contentment deep within. 

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If you would like to go deeper there is a series of teaching on Comfort, together with an article which you can download at http://afathertoyou.com/conferences

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The next Fatherheart 'A' School in the UK is in July at Cloverley Hall in Shropshire. This is an opportunity for you to experience Father's love and to know his comforting love filling your heart. All the details together with an online booking form are at http://fhmaschool.uk You are all very welcome.

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