God's Comfort
A few years ago, I led a devotional during a retreat for elders and ministers
of a church where I was serving as a minister. I spoke about the certainty of
death and God's odd words of comfort in difficult times. I did not realize then
that within a few years of that gathering almost half of the men in the room
would, in fact, no longer be alive.
This week, another of them, Nick Nicholson - an elder I have known since my
youth and worked with as a staff minister - passed away. He was one of the most
encouraging, loving church leaders I have ever known. Whenever the church he
served reaffirmed its shepherds, Nick's name was always at the top of the list
of men that the members knew and wanted.
I am glad Nick is free of pain but I am still trying to believe he is gone. A
few weeks ago, during the holidays, I talked with him again in Albuquerque. As
I grieve, I find comfort yet in the message of that devotional years ago. Here
it is.
When Israel returned from exile, defeated and demoralized, the Lord told Isaiah
to, "Comfort, comfort my people." Isaiah asked, "What shall I cry?" and the
answer was striking:
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
Many years later, when Peter wrote to encourage Christians suffering under
Nero's persecution, he reminded them of those words, saying, "For you have been
born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and
enduring word of God. For, 'All men are like grass..." Then Peter adds, "And
this is the word that was preached to you."
It is as if God's comfort for us in hard times is, "Cheer up, you are all going
to die." But here again the Lord's truth sets us free. We will die, but we hold
inside of us that which lasts forever. Death cannot defeat us. It need not
depress us.
Men like Nick remind us that life is about more than staying alive. It is more
about making a difference than making a dollar. Whatever glory we find in this
life evaporates quickly. But we all can learn from Nick to give people what
they really need. Nick always left me feeling loved and affirmed. He spoke the
word of our Lord to my heart.
I will forever be grateful that I was able to thank Nick for his love and
example before he died. The word of our God that he spoke into my heart will
stand forever.
Gary and Jennifer Williams
Florence Bible School
Italy
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Nicole's baptism
an example of God's comfort