Comfort From Calling

“And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.” (Mr 10:49 AV)

The emotional and spiritual state of this man was affected more by the fact that Jesus called him than it was about his circumstances.  This man who was told to be of good comfort and rise was a man who was a blind beggar.  Blind Bartimaeus sat by the wayside, begging.  He called out to Jesus for mercy.  He made such a racket that others tried to quiet him down.  Although Bart had an objective in mind; that being restored sight; he was told to be of good comfort when Jesus called in return.  Bart didn’t mention his need until Christ asked him of it.  Yet, he was to be of good comfort because Jesus called in return.  In this instruction we have a word of challenge and encouragement.

Bart was about to receive his sight.  He believed who Jesus claimed to be.  We know this because of how Bart addressed Christ.  The Son of David is acknowledgement of the Messiahship of Jesus.  Bart had all the faith in the world.  There was no reason to doubt Jesus would grant him his request.  But the comfort was not in answered prayer.  The comfort came from the calling.  We cannot forget this.  This truth is the basis upon which encouragement should be based.  Not on results, but on a relationship.

Sometimes, we do not get the answers that we want.  Sometimes, our illness does not go away.  Sometimes, things in life do not improve.  Sometimes, the thorn in the flesh remains no matter how many times we entreat the LORD to remove it.  Sometimes the infirmity is part of God’s plan to change who and what we are.  Sometimes, having a need that is never filled is the need which we really need.  Blind Bart was told to take comfort.  Not in the fact he might receive his sight.  Rather, in the fact the LORD called him.  This cannot be overstated.  The fact that God desires a relationship with us should be the source of all comfort.  That He would hear our cries should be comfort enough.  That He would care enough to be moved at our infirmities regardless of how he chooses to answer should be comfort enough.  This comfort has a way of overcoming our infirmities without taking them away.  As when my sons, when they were very ill, sought to sit on Daddy’s lap, it didn’t take away the fever, but it made it vastly more tolerable.  Next time we are overwhelmed by what life brings, remember, if you are a child of God, He calleth thee!  Be of good comfort.  He cares and He calleth thee.