Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 12, 2016
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 have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Comfort is not a one-time act, it is recurring and compounding. It is a gift that keeps on giving, as it can cut through any calamity and bring healing and peace. It can transcend circumstances because it is the very nature of God. He is the God of all comfort, and no one is immune from His comfort. There is no trouble looming that can outpace God’s comfort. If you slow down and listen, His comfort will catch up and cover you. He is relentless in His comforting pursuit. He comforts the comfortless. Life may currently have you in a very uncomfortable place. You are a little embarrassed and a lot unsure of yourself, but one thing you can be sure of is the comfort of God.
Your situation is not unique, for He has been there before with His battalion of comfort comrades. Let Him in, and do not continue to wrestle alone in your discomfort. You were made to be comforted. It is not a sign of weakness to be comforted by God. On the contrary, it is strength and wisdom. He is your celestial comforter. His blanket of comfort is always available to bring rest and deep sleep. Do not toss and turn in your troubles.
No matter how terrible your circumstances, His comfort has you covered. His comforter of compassion and love compensates for adversity. It is a warm, soft, and soothing comforter that is tailor-made for your bed of life. Do not toss off its warm embrace; it is for your benefit, not your harm. Yes, it probably means slowing down so you can receive his calming comfort; so trust Him. Rest and relax in the arms of your heavenly Father.
Lastly, He comforts you so you in turn can comfort others. You can express your comfort without even saying you have been there. Handling yourself with grace and concern speaks to the comfortless friend to whom you are extending a helpful hand. The small things inject comfort. Take care of a stressed-out mom’s child so she can relish a much-needed break. Pay someone more than they deserve so they can feel some financial comfort. Leave a pertinent prayer on a friend’s voicemail so they can hear your comforting intercession on their behalf. Write an encouraging note of concern and love to bolster a comfortless heart. God created your comfort for you to pass on to someone else. Comfort compounds because this is the purpose of its creation.
You are a facilitator of God’s comfort. You are not responsible for the recipient’s response. Their anger may blunt their gratitude. Their hurt may hinder their faith. But keep in mind that your motive for extending comfort is your own gratitude to God for His comfort in your life. Give comfort, not to receive from the comfortless, but because God has comforted you. His comforter covers all of life’s bed of troubles.
The Bible says, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4b).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for comforting me, so I can comfort others in Christ’s name.Application
What pain do I need to bring to the Lord, so I can help someone else who experiences a similar hurt?Related Reading
Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.Post/Tweet today
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