Abundance: Not Just Afflictions but HIS Comfort
The plan was to not write today, but as I began to study God’s Word, the remembrance of the two students who emailed me late last night kept returning to my mind. Both emails were distress calls, not waving a white flag of surrender but raising an S.O.S call. “Teacher, help me,” both said in their own way. One was experiencing distress because he had been granted access to his online course almost two weeks late, and now he was pleading: “Please, know that I am working with all diligence to catch up.” The other student experienced a similar technology issue and could not gain access her course to submit her writing. In neither case did the students indicate they were unconcerned; however, in both cases, the students helped me know they were experiencing great distress.
After responding to their emails and retiring to bed, I found myself arising early this morning with those two on my mind. Their struggles were real, and they were in desperate need. Then, I recalled the sad news I had just received this week. Even though I knew it was coming, still hearing it was more troubling. So, I did the only thing I knew to do; I opened my Bible and began to study, finding myself reading how God is the refuge for His people.
“God is our refuge and strength,
(The Psalms 46: 1-3 NASB)
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”
- Friend, what news have you received, that you just don’t think you have the strength to walk through alone?
- Friend, what circumstance are you facing, and you just aren’t sure if you can make it through to the other side?
The three Hebrew boys (in the Old Testament) were thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to do as the pagan ordered. Even as they were bound, tossed into the fire, and feared their lives were over, still the one of the guards exclaimed—
“He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”
(The Book of Daniel 3:25 NASB)
- Fires will come to our lives.
- Trials will overwhelm us.
- News will be heard.
- Struggles are to be expected,
So, we must be prepared, but how does one prepare for a fire, for a trial, for news, or for a struggle?
WE CRY OUT TO THE ONE WHO PROMISED TO NEVER LEAVE US!
WE CRY OUT TO THE LORD WHO ASSURED US HOW WE WILL NEVER BE ALONE!
God, I need You!
Storms will come. News will arrive. Circumstances of life will change—BUT WE ARE NOT TO FEAR!
The one who knows the Lord as his Savior will never be in the storm alone, will never hear the news alone, nor will ever walk through the circumstance alone. We Are with Jesus.
Living within the storm, within the upsetting news, or within the changing season—Will Always Be Better Than Anywhere Else Without Him.
May we know an Abundance: Not Just Afflictions but HIS Comfort.
“I Trust You” by Michael Gabriel Monroe is a melody for today. Maybe you will find to grab your earbuds to listen to the lyrics and be reminded.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
(The 2nd Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 1: 3-5 NASB)
who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance,
so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”