DAILY COMFORT
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)
I love the verse above. God is the Father of compassion, and did you pick it up, the God of ALL comfort? As kids, when we got hurt, we were prone to run straight to our parents. This was good because a good parent could provide good comfort, but even the best parent can’t provide all comfort. If you’re anything like me, much of my life, I would look to different things to provide comfort when things weren’t going great. Some were good, and others weren’t. I would go to people who loved me and were in my community, but other times, I would look to success, business or hobbies to comfort me by keeping me distracted. It provided some comfort, but certainly not all comfort. Some people love Jesus but run to other things instead of going to Him first. An old hymn writer confessed that he would run to his wife first instead of God. We should bring others in, but the invitation is to bring God in first because no one can care and speak life into us like Him.
I’ve heard people say when things get really hard or difficult, I just need to drink or I just need to go to bed. Don’t let a bottle, a bed or even a book become your source of comfort. Go to God, find all comfort, let Him fill you up, and transform that pain or disappointment into something good. Then, once you’ve experienced that comfort, you can comfort other people and invite them to find comfort in God first and then you or others next. We don’t have to wait until the other side of heaven to find comfort. God is waiting for you to invite Him in today. Sit and be with God. The way out is the way forward, but remember, God will go with you.
APPLICATION: Go to God first and let Him comfort you!
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit if there is anything you are looking for to comfort you. Ask the Spirit to help you be still. Give God what He brings to mind. Imagine you are handing God what is hurting or causing pain. Ask Him to replace that pain with His love and peace.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?