God's Comforts

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of Comfort. God has ways of comforting us even in situations where comfort seems elusive and when the efforts of others fall short.

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19).

How our thoughts can struggle! How they can proliferate and multiply! It is so easy for unwanted thoughts to take over our minds and really overwhelm us. The thoughts referred to here are troubled thoughts, thoughts that call out for comfort.

Even when our thoughts are troubled, and even when those troubled thoughts are measured in multitudes, God is able to comfort. He can transform the mind, leading to a complete change in the soul – from trouble to delight.

How does God do this? What are His methods? Sometimes it is simply abundant grace. Sometimes it is peace that passes understanding. God is able to accomplish this by ministering to our spirits in an almost inexplicable way – something we really can’t define.

More often, however, I believe God gives comfort through specific tools, through specific truths from His Word. “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:50). “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights” (Psalm 119:143).

It is in replacing our troubled thoughts with God’s truth that we find comfort. We might think of this as a toolbox or a library from which we can withdraw an appropriate verse for the current situation. We have many of these stored in our memory banks, many with which we are very familiar. The comfort comes when we recall these truths in the time of need.

We all have our favorites. Here are a few of mine. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). That’s one of God’s comforts. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). That’s a great comfort. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). More comfort. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23-24). More comfort. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10). More comfort.

This list could continue on and on. God has given us so many comforts in His Word to help us when our troubled thoughts multiply. May He bring the right comforts readily to your mind for the troubles you face this week. May He quiet and stabilize your struggling thoughts.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA