Comfort, God's Way

Day 38- Comfort, God's Way

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

As we run this race set before each of us, we need to be reminded of God's expectation and demand for and from our lives as we run. Let us quickly establish something: God never promised us an easy race; in fact, everywhere he spoke about what to expect, he kept using words like 'burden', 'cross', 'yoke', and related words. These words do not connote an easy ride, so I wonder where else in Scriptures people find words from God that promise a smooth, trial-free race as they run.

Today's extract highlights a few lessons for us as we run: God is a God of mercies and comfort. This shows that when you are in God, you enjoy benefits and blessings that the world cannot comprehend or understand or explain. There are so many kinds of mercies that we enjoy; so many benefits, so many blessings. We travel and turn safely, through routes that others had perished in, we enjoy miraculous provisions, we enjoy healing in our bodies, we have peace in the face of the most trying circumstances. These are just a few of the numerous blessings that God gives. Did you notice that there is nothing mentioned about the world here? There are many things of God that the world cannot comprehend, because it does not know how God works it out.

How does a woman who has lost a child rejoice and remain faithful? How does a man who has lost everything rejoice and sing songs? How do you explain a man's strength in the midst of the most trying circumstances? It then shows that what man needs most is not what the world can give. When it matters most, and troubles come, the world will have no answer because it does not understand what is needed. When troubles come, you can only find help in the person who has fought the system and triumphed. He says in John 16:33 NIV:  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” If you are looking for comfort and convenience in the world, then you will have to live on the terms of the world. If you are looking for comfort God's way, then you have to seek God on his terms, not yours. Job faced things that the world could not prepare him for. His friends came and in ignorance, said a lot of things. Job held to God and eventually, received back all that he had lost and more. What lessons can the world teach you about coping with loss and death?  Daniel was an upright boy but he found himself in captivity along with other Jews of his generation. There was an easy way out: blend in and feast, or stand out and maybe die, or slim down and waste away. He took a risk on God, stood by God, and we read about him centuries after. It all came down to a decision not to seek the world's comfort, but to seek God first.

That is the summary of our thoughts today. Seek God first. It is not about what I can get, but what God wants for me. It is not my life anymore; God now lives through me and I must surrender all to Him if indeed I understand what it means to trust Him. Whatever direction he takes me, i know that he is with me and will not let me go. All that I need, not what I think I want, will be provided by Him. The world does not have what I need; God alone does. The world cannot understand why, only God answers those questions. What we need, the world does not supply. Let us therefore seek God out today, so we can enjoy what he has for us. His time of favour is here.

PRAYER- Lord, help me depend on you for everything I need. The world has nothing I need, you alone have all that life needs. Help me trust you and hold on to you for all situations that will come my way. Help me overcome. Amen.