Comforted!

Comforted!

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:19 KJV

We are all human beings. The best of men is but a breath; weak, clueless and helpless, and in need of the help, support, love, comfort and encouragement from his Creator. There is no other person who is more qualified to understand the form of the created than the Creator. He is the One who fashioned the hidden parts, placed them in the right place and assigned them their functions in the body. He is the one who then placed all these precious parts inside an earthen outer container called the body, breathed into that body the breath of life, before the body became referred to as a living soul. The One who did all these did it with the highest form of wisdom, so that no created being will reach its highest potential outside the One who created it. That is why a man will always keep running after someone or something, and until the One who formed him occupies his heart, he will continue to run.

Part of the human package is the desire to achieve great things. There are some dreams that God births in us, and there are others that other forces will also seek to introduce to us. One of the attributes of God, which has also become one of us due to the breath of God in us, is the power of thoughts. It is the thoughts in us that lead us into acts, that then lead to habits, which then forms our reputation and character, and ultimately, our eternal destiny. All through the stories in the Bible, men and women exercised their power of thought. Some of them succeeded, while others failed, but one thing was clear: their thoughts only went as far as God allowed. How do we know: the fact is there is no one who can outthink God, as God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. All who succeeded only did so because their thoughts aligned with God's plans. Can I say, with certainty, that my thoughts are aligned with God's perfect will? Do I need to submit parts of my life to God again?

It is by total submission to and embrace of God's perfect will that my thoughts can always align with God's perfect will. Many thoughts will flow through my mind and heart; that is the normal way of life for all human beings. However, if I will enjoy the comforts that God promises, there are conditions to satisfy. In the face of the many thoughts that will fill my heart, I must make room for the imprint of God upon my heart, which comes with serenity and peace. In the face of the many thoughts that will fill my heart, I must seek God's face for that which pleases him, which means I cannot be given to rash decisions or quick action at all times. A man who wants God's comfort is not bothered by the world's expectations. He only looks forward to God's Word of comfort. Until he gets it, his heart is allowed to think up many thoughts. Once he gets it, all other contrary thoughts cease.

It is not a one-off experience, where I settle for a one-season wonder. It is a lifelong pursuit of God's comfort, which is only available by regular and diligent search. How would I know and recognise God's comfort if I only get it once in my lifetime? It would only have value when it becomes an integral part of my life and the foundation upon which my life's decisions are taken. I must tell my heart not to hold on to anything unless the comfort of God accompanies it. I must tell my heart not to listen to the machinations of men, but to the still, small voice of God's comfort, which will not raise its voice but whose presence cannot be ignored. I must not settle for cheap alternatives, but strive to pursue after that which God offers. When I have laid hold of it, nothing else will matter. Until I lay hold of it, nothing I presently hold also matters.

Guess the question then is: who holds my heart? Who dictates its pursuits and priorities? Who defines its main thoughts and actions that follow? When pressure comes, and there is a temptation to compromise, is there an anchor in place to hold and direct my heart in the right place and in the right direction? Are God's comforts my delight or a burden? Do I see God's interventions in my life as a burden or do I welcome them with joy? God is interested in both my earthly impact and my eternal destiny. He won't make my life hard down here for no reason, but he would want me to know that he cares about me and he will move heaven and earth for me, as long as it lines up with his Word for me. That is his promise, and I can take that to the bank because he always keeps his Word. May I not settle for anything less than his best for me. God's time of favour is here.