Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11
Testimony
The whole course is exceptional very relevant to me. I have gone away with a lot to think about. I have learnt that I don't have just to cope and be so independent. God is good & loves me, even me!.... Read More...

Seeds of the Kingdom

Comfort

by Diane Daune

“Comfort, comfort my people” says your God, “… Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned”.
Isaiah 40:1, NLT

Recently, a friend took an old, well-worn, comfortable cashmere jumper and made it into a soft, cuddly teddy bear with a happy face and a little ribbon at the neck. As you hold the teddy bear close to your skin, you feel a sense of comfort. Holding the teddy bear reminds me of the many ways we try to bring self-comfort into our lives.

But human comforts are fleeting, bringing relief into a moment of time, but it’s difficult to go back to, or recapture, that moment. And there are many different self-comforting strategies. Perhaps you use food or chocolate; music; or have a favourite comfortable chair. The warmth of the sun or the company of a special friend may also provide comfort. But sometimes, we rely on ‘false’ comforts, using them to protect ourselves from the harsh realities of life.

God’s comfort is different to this. The Bible tells us God blesses those who realise their need for Him (Matthew 5:3). And God’s comfort is freely available to everyone. God says, in Isaiah 40:1, ‘Comfort, comfort my people’ says your God ... tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned’.

Are you seeking comfort in the wrong places? As a child of God, reach out to God, trusting Him, through the Holy Spirit, to bring His comfort into your life. Perhaps you need to come before the Lord in confession that you have been seeking comfort in the wrong places, and thinking people and things hold the answer. Be real with God, acknowledge that Jesus is the ‘Good Shepherd’, and ask Him to hold you close. Receive His comfort today, even as you comfort others.

Prayer: Lord God, today I come before You and acknowledge my need to You. I’m sorry for the times I have sought to comfort myself rather than trusting in You. Lord, I choose to trust You, and receive Your comfort today. Amen.

Diane Daune has a background in children’s nursing and enjoys creative crafts. She has been part of the associate ministry team at Ellel Grange since 2005. She is married to Joss and together they support the ministry of a small rural church in the Ribble Valley.

 

Sign Up Now

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.