• “Weep With Those Who Weep”
    The Watchtower (Study)—2017 | July

    • JEHOVAH​—“THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT”

      3, 4. Why can we be sure that Jehovah understands a grieving person’s need for comfort?

      3 Without a doubt, the primary source of consolation is our compassionate heavenly Father, Jehovah. (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.) Jehovah, the foremost example of empathy, assured his people: “I myself am the One comforting you.”​—Isa. 51:12; Ps. 119:50, 52, 76.

      4 Our Father of tender mercies has himself experienced the loss of loved ones, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and King David. (Num. 12:6-8; Matt. 22:31, 32; Acts 13:22) God’s Word assures us that Jehovah has eagerly anticipated​—has had an earnest longing for—​the time when he will bring them back to life. (Job 14:14, 15) They will be happy and in vibrant health. Consider, too, that God’s dearly beloved Son​—“the one he was especially fond of”—​died an agonizing death. (Prov. 8:22, 30) Words cannot express the pain Jehovah must have suffered.​—John 5:20; 10:17.

      5, 6. How can we be consoled by Jehovah?

      5 We can have unwavering confidence that Jehovah will act in our behalf. We should therefore not hesitate to pour out our hearts to him in prayer concerning our personal grief. How comforting it is to know that Jehovah understands our pain and provides the comfort that we so sorely need! But how does he do so?

      6 One way God helps us is by means of “the comfort of the holy spirit.” (Acts 9:31) God’s active force is a very powerful source of comfort. Jesus promised that the Father in heaven would eagerly “give holy spirit to those asking him.” (Luke 11:13) Susi, quoted earlier, says: “There were so many times when we just dropped to our knees and implored Jehovah to comfort us. Every single time, the peace of God truly guarded our hearts and minds.”​—Read Philippians 4:6, 7.

  • “Weep With Those Who Weep”
    The Watchtower (Study)—2017 | July

    • 20. Why are Jehovah’s promises a source of great comfort?

      20 How comforting it is to know that Jehovah, the God of all comfort, will eliminate all grief and provide permanent consolation when “all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Christ’s] voice and come out”! (John 5:28, 29) God promises that “he will do away with death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isa. 25:8, ftn.) Then, instead of having to “weep with those who weep,” all earth’s inhabitants will “rejoice with those who rejoice.”​—Rom. 12:15.