“You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side” (Ps. 71:21).
In the original Hebrew version, the word translated comfort is nacham (naw-kham’). It describes God’s response to our trying circumstances.
One definition of nacham is “to sigh.” The prophet Isaiah says of God and His people: “In all their afflictions, he was afflicted” (Isa. 63:9). The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have a High Priest Who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15).
So when circumstances cause us to sigh, the Lord sighs with us. But, He does infinitely more than that.
Another definition of nacham is “to breathe strongly” or “to draw breath forcibly.” We do this in times of strong physical or emotional stress. We breathe hard when excited, when forced to move rapidly, or when the pace of our lives is drastically speeded up.
When the Lord says through the psalmist that He will comfort us. He is saying that He will be right by our side. Our eagerness, excitement and enthusiasm become His eagerness, excitement and enthusiasm. In stressing that the spirit (Spirit) is willing, the Bible uses a word that describes ardent eagerness. Our God is just as eager for our victory as we are.
Another definition of nacham is “to pity,” implying feeling such sorrow for a person as to step in and avenge him against his adversary. Gesenius, the grammarian, says of nacham: “It includes the notion of God putting forth help and taking vengeance.”
Our God does much more than console us in battles; He takes our side with us against our enemy!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.