Day 04 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4 Additional reading: Psalm...
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
– Psalm 46:1
“Under His wings, shall you trust and find refuge.”
– Psalm 91:4
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (AMPC)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God {Who is the Source} of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.
The Lord is our blanket! I know many of us growing up had a blanket, or I’m sure most of us called it our ‘blankie’ when we were toddlers. What did this blankie represent? It represented comfort, peace, had a calming effect on us, and was very familiar. Where would you bring this blankie? You would bring it everywhere you went, right? Because no matter what unfamiliar place you went, doctors’ offices, school, or relatives’ houses, you knew all you had to do was hold on or wrap yourselves in your blankie and everything would be okay when things became scary or unfamiliar! This is the same when it comes to God and His Holy Spirit that He sent to comfort us! God is the ultimate blanket or blankie. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He is the same yesterday, today and forever! When things start to come up in our lives that are uneasy, unfamiliar, or even intimidating to deal with or approach, we must grab on to God’s Word and wrap it around us. Use the Word, your prayer life, and your time in worship as a blanket to comfort you! Read the tales in the Bible as testimonies that God never abandons His people!
Now, most of us that can read this devotion most likely no longer have our blankie… at least I hope, in the natural. Let’s parallel this with growing in our faith and being able to comfort others as we get older in the spirit. As we get older, we might not need the blanket as much. We learn that these situations that you faced as a child have been taken care of and are not as bad as you thought. From these lessons, you can then turn around and comfort others in times of distress because you know a God who takes care of all our needs, desires, and troubles (2 Corinthians scripture above). God is there for you. As you grow and advance yourself in the spirit, be open to the Holy Spirit directing you to help and save the lost and dying world around.
Confession for today: “Lord, you are my refuge and my comforter in times of trouble. No matter what revolts against me today I will prevail because you take care of your righteous!”