Comfort

Israel had been through yet another particularly harrowing time with enemy attacks, when God spoke these deeply compassionate words to her. Today He is still desirous of bringing comfort both to Israel and to each of us.

So - How does God bring comfort to us? Through the presence of His Holy Spirit in and through us, bringing His healing words of consolation and compassion, found in scripture – gently soothing us in times of grief and pain in life’s difficulties. He is the great Comforter. It’s at these times when we can feel his reassuringly safe arms around us like a huge blanket or duvet, in which we can find protection, peace and safety. Sometimes He comforts us through others drawing alongside with a comforting arm or a timely word, just being there to help in a time of need. Whichever way He chooses we know that the Prince of Peace is at work because He meets us at our point of need.

Certainly in Israel’s case it was to bring relief in their time of affliction, when yet more marauding hoards of invading armies assaulted their borders, stealing all that God had given to them and taking their people into captivity. Jesus also comforted His disciples before He went back to Heaven telling them that He was going to prepare a place for them and that the time would come when they would see Him again.

Scripture tells us that the eyes of the Lord run through the earth(2 Chron 16:9)and nothing escapes His gaze. God’s wonderfully gentle and loving eyes, and equally wonderfully healing hands, can reach into the depths of our being where nothing and no-one else can, anointing and healing our gaping wounds and setting us on the pathway of health and wholeness. Such comfort is reminiscent of the warmth of the sunshine breaking through after the ravages of a storm, reassuring the world that danger is past and there is hope for the future. The sun of righteousness has risen with healing in its wings. Today He beckons you afresh to come to Him “casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)

Prayer:Thank you Lord that you are the God of all comfort and you know all about us. Today we ask you to draw near to all who need your comfort, may they feel the closeness of your abiding presence. In Jesus Name. Amen.