The God of All Comfort

In light of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this week’s post will be a little different. I have prayed a lot about what would be most appropriate. God has led me to choose a few passages of Scripture to let him speak to us his words of comfort, encouragement, and instruction. I pray you will meditate on them as you read them and that you will take them to heart, for your peace and for his glory.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging . . . Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress . . .

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”
(Selections from Psalm 46, NIV)

You see, God is faithful in doing his part. He will always be faithful in doing his part. Let us
be faithful in doing our part: trusting him.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).

(Did you notice that this is a command? That means that this is within our power to do–
when we trust in God and in his promises.)

And, finally, let us remember this:

“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” (2 Corinthians1:3-4, NIV).

Soul Refreshers for your week:

• Take some time to “be still,” and to remember that in spite of what we see, in spite of what we feel, he is God. Thank him for that truth.
• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV). Let him know what is making you anxious, what is causing you to worry. The fact is he already knows these things, but acknowledging them to him will help you realize that he does know them, that he cares, and that he is in control.
• Consider all the ways God has protected and comforted you in the past. Write at least some of them down. If you feel led, you may even want to write your own psalm commemorating these times and God’s goodness.
• Consider adding on to parts of Psalm 46, filling in the end with things that might be causing you fear and anxiety. Then claim God as your refuge and strength, and accept the peace Jesus has promised us.

Psalm 46: “God is [my] refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore [I] will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Though around me I see _______________________________________________
Though my own family is wrestling with _________________________________
Though at my job _____________________________________________________
Though I am __________________________________________________________

• Be still. Be comforted. Then go out and comfort others.