40 Days in the Word - Power of the Word Sample

Theme | I Will Be Your Comfort

From | Jas Arnold

Verses | John 14:16, 2 Corinthians 1:1-4, Psalm 23:4

We all have our creature comforts - our favourite foods, a nostalgic movie or TV show, sad music for a good therapeutic cry, or that friend who makes the world feel lighter. These things can provide some temporary comfort, but we have all been there when these comforts just don’t cut it.

In these moments we find out that there is only one person who can provide us with full and sustaining comfort - God. Paul calls Him, “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles.” Even in the hardest times, we can find comfort in the fact that God is always with us, in every situation, in the good and the bad. When John says, “[the Father] will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever,” he is speaking about the Holy Spirit who lives in all believers and is always with us.

David says in Psalm 23 that he finds comfort in God’s rod and staff. But what does that mean? In this Psalm, the rod and the staff are symbols of a Shepherd. They speak to God’s guidance, His support and His protection. He is always steering our paths to protect us, grow us and ultimately lead to His glory. Like a Shepherd caring for His sheep, we can be confident that God cares for us. How much comfort we can experience from that!

As always, what God does in and through our lives isn’t just for us, but for the people around us as well. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says that God comforts us, “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” We have the blessing of being comforted by God and we get to share that blessing with those who are hurting around us by offering them that same comfort.

Prayer | God, thank You that You are always with me, that You care for me, and that You are my ultimate comfort. Would You comfort me now or when I need it the most? And would You use my life to impact others and see them find comfort in You and Your care? In Jesus’ name, amen.