Royal Comfort

Last month, when the Queen made a speech to the nation and commonwealth, addressing her thoughts on the virus, Charles Bremner reported from Paris that ‘millions’ of French tuned in ‘for comfort’. I don’t think the French Republic is likely to fall anytime soon, nor the Bourbons recalled, but it’s an interesting reaction. Americans are known for their obsession with our royalty, but the French have always been somewhat sniffier. During these unprecedented times, however, they too have needed some cheer. Coming from a politician, with elections to win and voters to impress, words of comfort can never quite be trusted. From an unelected person, with nothing to gain or lose, sincerity can be taken at face value.

Similarly, businesses have taken to the airwaves and internet to assure everyone of their support for ‘key workers’ and ‘brave NHS staff’. It sounds a little hollow coming as it does from their advertising budgets; words of support from people and firms can not always be trusted. Does the boss phone us at home to see how we are because he cares, or because he’s calculating next month’s staffing cost? Does the otherwise absent grandson visit his sick granny to show his love or to enquire about the will?

When the Lord Jesus offers words of comfort and hope, they are genuine and sincere. Nothing we have He needs, nothing of His we can afford to buy.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me". John 14:1

Image by Owls1867 from Pixabay