Comfort, Comfort My People!
Finding Comfort from God’s Word
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
As women we often find ourselves in the role of “comforter” and this role can drain us when we need comfort ourselves. Our Heavenly Father is the God of all comfort, and He stands ready to comfort us and then the comfort we receive from Him will spill over to those who look to us for comfort. Lord, comfort my heart!
1 Peter 3:4-6 [4] but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. [5] For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, [6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
I want to be like Sarah, a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit, submissive to my husband and not fearful of anything that is frightening; but my spirit doesn’t feel very quiet right now and I do feel fearful. How did Sarah do it? She hoped in God. But what does that look like? Lord, help me hope in You!
Isaiah 40:1 [1] Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:9 [9] Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
The greatest comfort of all is found when we behold our God. When I focus on the reality of Who He is, my spirit is calmed and my fear lifted. I must keep doing this, minute by minute, or I waver. Lord, keep me focused on You!
1 Peter 5:6-11 [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. [8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. [11] To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The truth is we have an enemy, the devil, and he is on the prowl. He is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We feel the fear of this prowling adversary, it is real. But we are not helpless. Peter gives us some specific things we can do:
Humble yourself before God.
Cast your anxieties on God.
Remember God cares for us.
Get perspective. We are not alone, our brothers and sisters throughout the world are having similar experiences.
Have an eternal mindset: This won’t last forever.
Remember who’s in charge. God is!
Lord, help me to do and remember these things!
Proverbs 18:10 [10] The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
The name of Jesus is powerful. When we proclaim His name, it is as if we are running into a strong tower to keep us safe. Lord, give me the courage to proclaim your name!
Isaiah 40:11 [11] He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young.
Jesus is also our gentle shepherd. I believe He is gathering us, His lambs, in his arms right now, carrying us close to his bosom, and gently leading us women. He knows we have the responsibility for the young….our young children, young women in our groups, others who are young in faith. This is a sweet encouragement. Lord, let me feel your arms around me!
More Reading
BEHOLD YOUR GOD
Psalm 46
Isaiah 6:1-3
Isaiah 40
Revelation 4:8, 11, 12, 13,14
PERSPECTIVE
Genesis 50:20
Act 4: 27-33
May God Bless Each of You
Numbers 6:24-26
[24] The LORD bless you and keep you;
[25] the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
[26] the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.