The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion

The gospel is good news for the hurting. There is provision for those in pain. This is one of the ‘tangible results’ of Spirit-empowered gospel preaching. Hearts can be healed. God’s own comfort and peace are very real gifts, freely imparted to all who trust in Christ. Of course, the cause of the heartache isn’t necessarily removed. It may well remain. But God can so work in the human heart that life is seen and felt differently.

I think it is not known for certain who said: ‘Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle’ (or words to that effect), but I’m sure it is true. As we see hurting people in our communities, let’s not distance ourselves from them, but move toward them with the ”good news” entrusted to us, believing that God will ”provide for those who grieve in Zion”.

It needs to affirmed however, that our greatest cause of pain is our sin, and the greatest comfort is to find forgiveness in Jesus.

”Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt.5:4).