Zec 1:13 | KingComments | STEP | The answer to prayer is given in “gracious words, comforting words” (cf. ; ; ). “Gracious [literally: good] words” are words that express what is good for someone. “Comforting words” are words a person needs because he is in misery. Offering perspective gives comfort. Someone who sincerely cares for the people of God gets comfort. He makes the requested compassion known. The comfort takes shape in what God says to do with the people. The comfort of God is compared to the comfort of a child by his mother ( ). Fear and restlessness are gone, there is security. This also applies to us, personally and collectively. Suffering makes God come into the circumstances and makes Himself known to us as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” ( ). God gives comfort through the Scriptures. The Scriptures testify of the Lord Jesus ( ), He is their content. God also consoles through the Holy Spirit ( ). He is the Advocate or Comforter. God’s Spirit takes from the Scriptures in a special way to comfort. God also wants to use us to comfort others ( ). True comfort is speaking to one’s heart ( ).

‏ Zechariah 1:13

Gracious Words, Comforting Words

The answer to prayer is given in “gracious words, comforting words” (cf. Isa 40:1-2 ; Isa 57:18; Jos 23:14; Jer 29:10). “Gracious [literally: good] words” are words that express what is good for someone. “Comforting words” are words a person needs because he is in misery.

Offering perspective gives comfort. Someone who sincerely cares for the people of God gets comfort. He makes the requested compassion known. The comfort takes shape in what God says to do with the people. The comfort of God is compared to the comfort of a child by his mother (Isa 66:13). Fear and restlessness are gone, there is security.

This also applies to us, personally and collectively. Suffering makes God come into the circumstances and makes Himself known to us as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2Cor 1:3). God gives comfort through the Scriptures. The Scriptures testify of the Lord Jesus (Jn 5:39), He is their content. God also consoles through the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). He is the Advocate or Comforter. God’s Spirit takes from the Scriptures in a special way to comfort.

God also wants to use us to comfort others (2Cor 1:4 ; 2Cor 7:13). True comfort is speaking to one’s heart (Rth 2:13).