My God carries many titles and is described in many different ways throughout scripture. Although He is unchanging, at different times and in different situations, I have needed to focus on a more specific role/characteristic of God to meet my needs. Right now - I really need him to be the God of all comfort – for myself and for people who are hurting around me for a variety of reasons.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
I have shared this verse before in relation to my pornography addiction. God brought me through it and called me to testify about it. In doing so God took something that Satan intended for evil and used it for good. When I was wracked with guilt for harming myself, my marriage and my family God forgave me and comforted me. This in turn has allowed me to comfort others who struggle with similar temptations.
When I ask why bad things happen to good people I boil it down to the fact that we live in a fallen world and evil is real. God created us for relationship with Him but he gave us the free will to choose. Tragically, too many people today are not choosing God and allow evil to enter their life and their actions.
Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” It does not say “if I walk” but “even though I walk.” God is with us in the tough, in the ugly and in the evil actions of others that harm us. His rod and his staff WILL comfort us if we allow it.
Going with the shepherd analogy used earlier in Psalm 23 a rod is a tool of authority used by shepherds for protecting, rescuing, counting, and guiding sheep. The staff was an instrument created to support the shepherd and keep him upright over uneven ground. Who does not need protected, rescued, guided and supported by the God of the universe? And yes, and most especially at times, comforted by that same God.
Psalm 147:3 tells us He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. What has broken your heart today? What wounds need bound? He IS the God of all comfort. Climb up into your Abba Father’s lap and let Him comfort you. In many painful circumstances, He is the only one who can.
He is the God who created you in his image (Genesis 1:27), who knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), who tells you that you are fearfully & wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), who skillfully designed you (Psalm 139:15), who engraved you on the palm of his hand (Isaiah 49:13), and has numbered ever hair on your head (Matthew 10:30). He is a God – the only one, true God - whose thoughts of you are more in number than the sand (Psalm 139:18). He is present in the tough stuff and he will never leave you nor forsake you.
And please . . . never forget . . . that he is also the God of ALL comfort.
Precious Father, we come to you as people who are weary and burdened. Please give us rest. Be the God of all comfort for us today Lord and in the days to come. Amen.