COMFORTED BY THE COMFOTER!

 

Sunday, October 4, 2026

 

COMFORTED BY THE COMFOTER!

 

2 Cor 1:3-4

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 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.

 

John 11:32-35

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

 

          God allows pain into our lives that we might be able to minister to others in their trouble – any trouble. The more pain we bear the better qualified we are to assist those who suffer. We can relate to their pain by remembering our own. We can soothe their hurts because we can remember that God soothed ours. We can encourage because we have experience in overcoming.

 

          Coming to the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus encounters deep grief. He even suffers Mary’s accusing comment: “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” It was the same as saying that Jesus killed Lazarus by delaying His arrival. Those whose calling is to provide comfort have felt this stinging accusation from time to time. We were too late or too inept to keep the pain from happening. Now all we can do is apply ointment.

 

          But wounded people are not aware of how deeply the comforters feel their grief. Jesus wept! He shed tears because He assumed the feelings of those to whom He ministered. Like a sponge soaking up a spill, Jesus absorbed their tears and they spilled out His own eyes. I would guess He is still doing that today.

 

Heb 4:15-16

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Dear God of all comfort, soothe the pain of those who suffer today. AMEN

 

LONGING FOR JESUS!

 

Saturday, October 3, 2026

 

LONGING FOR JESUS!

 

Song 3:1-2

3 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

 

          Not many teachers will venture into the Song of Solomon because it is an intimate love story that can cause both teacher and student to blush. Here, the Shunamite has had a dream about her lover and begins a search to find him. She leaves the security of her home and roams the streets asking the watchmen, but they have not seen him either. Eventually she finds him and will not let him go!

 

          Four times, once in each of the first four verses, she describes him as “he whom my soul loveth.” This reveals the depth of the Shunamite’s love for Solomon. Married love should never lose this kind of romance.

 

          This morning I awoke with a longing to connect with my Jesus. I study Him as part of my craft. I serve Him as part of my calling but this morning I sought him as my deep desire. The Christian heart should never lose this kind of romance. I was reminded of an old chorus sung as a child in church.

 

Longing for Jesus

 

Longing, longing for Jesus
I have a longing
In my heart for Him
Just to be near Him
To feel His presence
I have a longing
In my heart for Him

 

Dear Lord, satisfy the longing of every searching heart. AMEN

 

IF WE ONLY KNEW!

 

Friday, October 2, 2026

 

IF WE ONLY KNEW!

 

1 Cor 2:14-16

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

          If we only knew what God knows about our life and path, we would be less anxious about the future. We are sheep and all we have been given is a profile of the Shepherd. He is both good and kind. He has our best interests at heart. In fact, we know that the Good Shepherd “gives his life for the sheep.” Yet we want to know what He knows, and we want to see what He sees.

 

          Paul’s question is asked again to the Roman church (Romans 8:27 and 11:34). Here we learn that the Holy Spirit prays for us according to the will of God because we do not know what to pray for as we ought. God understands that we do not understand!

 

          If we only knew what God knows we would not resist the plans He has for us. When Peter learned that Jesus was to be crucified, he loudly said: “not so Lord!” Peter could not imagine how the crucifixion might be beneficial. He was sure it was a tragic mistake! Because he did not know – he resisted the very thing that would purchase his redemption.

 

          If we only knew what God knows we would welcome the lion’s den and the fiery furnace because we would see the Lord shut the lions’ mouth and join us in the flames. But we do NOT know and that is what trust is all about. Trust does not need to know all the details of how God will resolve a difficult situation. Trust only needs to know the good nature of God. So, we walk resolutely forward not because we see the way clearly but because we can still see the hem of his garment as He leads.

 

Dear Lord, we still desire to know what you know. We are hardwired like stubborn people! But let it be enough to maintain sight of you as you lead us. AMEN