Tag: Comforter

Devotionals

Your Comforts Delight My Soul

Loring Schultz

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NKJV

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Interpretation of the word ‘soul’ varies both in its modern usage and in the Bible. The Hebrew writer as in the text above sees ‘soul’ as his very self, his living being, desire, emotion, and passion. In our modern-day language, the palmist means his complete being, who he is including his inner self. The use of ‘soul’ in the New Testament is ‘breath or breath of life’ also as in the Old Testament includes feelings, desires, affections, but most notably the soul is designed for eternal life not dissolved by death but lives on.

The psalmist writes during his days in the midst of injustice being done to the weak and defenseless, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delights my soul.” (Ps.94:19 nkjv) The wrongs were being committed by arrogant and evil people who were in authority. What he saw the murders of the innocent and orphans, and heard their arrogant and boastful speech, the Hebrew writer’s soul was filled with anxiety. He describes it as a multitude of anxieties that keep piling up in an evil society and the psalmist reaches out to the Lord to comfort him during these times. (Ps.94:12-16) The Lord’s help comes, “Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.” (Ps.94:17 nlt)

You may be under uncontrollable stress and anxiety this day. You are not alone. Many people suffer from increased anxiety from everyday pressure in the current times in which we live, even Christians. This is not a new development for God to handle. He has had a lot of experience in providing comfort to souls. If your total being, your soul, has had anxieties building up within you it’s time to have your soul comforted by the Lord God. It will be a delight.

Read: Psalm 94 NKJV – God the Refuge of the Righteous – O – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Never Alone

Loring Schultz

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV

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Everyone needs a little comfort every now and again. A kindly spoken word will do the trick for some while others need someone able to provide deep emotional comfort by only their presence. The frustrations of living in a complex society can be soothed quickly by others as they encourage us. They affirm the everyday struggles we all deal with, and their words are a lift to our spirit. It is often enough to help us continue. But there are times when we need the constant presence of those who comfort us in our time of need. Unfortunately, that is not always possible, if at all, in our world of responsibility. However, there is one constant companion who will never leave your side of comfort. So, you will never be alone.

In the upper room the night before going to the cross Jesus prepared the disciples for His leaving. He informed them they would not be left comfortless; He would always be with them. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, His constant presence with them. Jesus assured them, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (Jn.14:16 nlt)

Jesus kept His promise. The Holy Spirit is with every believer in Jesus Christ. If you know the Lord as your savior, He is your constant companion and always by your side. “for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Heb.13:5b esv) What a comfort it is to know of the Lord’s presence with us in whatever we are going through. There may be times when you feel you are struggling alone, but you are not alone. Your friends and closest loved ones cannot always be there when you need them, but Jesus is always there by your side. You’re never alone.

Devotionals

Judas Kiss

Loring Schultz

“So Judas came straight to Jesus. ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.” Matthew 26:49 NLT

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The term ‘Judas Kiss’ is not a very flattery term. In fact, it is a term that has downright severe consequences. You do not want to be accused of planting a ‘Judas Kiss’ on someone. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, has forever cemented that term in history by betraying Jesus turning Him over to His enemies for crucifixion and he did it with a kiss. Scores of individuals have been betrayed by those closest to them. Judas walked with Jesus for three years listening to His teaching and learning things of the kingdom of God along with the other disciples, and yet betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Judas betrayed Jesus in the worst way possible using an approach of affection for his Rabbi to identify Him to His captors. He wanted to make sure they got the right man so he, “had given them a prearranged signal: ‘You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.’” (Mt.26:48 nlt) The ultimate definition of betrayal was demonstrated in the devious self-interest action by Judas, one of Jesus’ own. Jesus would be arrested and handed over for trial leading to His death on the cross. But we know that through His death and resurrection those who believe in Him are guaranteed eternal life. It was His heavenly Father’s plan.

 Admittedly, the term today is frequently used in a much lighter tone, but the implications are the same. Betraying a friend or family member for self-gain or resentment hurts just the same. It is devastating to the recipient, breaks up relationships, and puts up a concrete wall between the two. Our Lord Jesus knows firsthand how it feels to be betrayed even though it was in God’s plan of salvation for us. Jesus knows the hurt feeling you are experiencing and can comfort you during this time of grief and betrayal. Jesus can also restore the broken relationships caused by the sin of betrayal. As both parties come together before the Lord in repentance and forgiveness, He will undo the ‘Judas Kiss’ bringing new life with ‘holy kiss.’

Read: Matthew 26:47-56 NLT – Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested – And – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Are you an agent for comfort?

Loring Schultz

“Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT

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Any trials of suffering we go through whether physical, emotional, financial, or relational, it is often said there is a reason for it. At the time of our suffering, we do not want to hear that, but there is indeed a lot of truth to that statement. There is a reason for it. 

Paul, the apostle, told the people of the church in Corinth the suffering he and his companions were going through was to comfort them. Eventually the church will go through the same suffering. Paul, having already gone through it, was able to help them in their need, most of all to comfort in times of persecution. Paul was an agent for comfort.

The comfort Paul and his friends received was from God. He tells them, “……God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others……” (2 Cor. 1:3-4nlt) Whatever suffering you are going through, the Lord God will supply His grace and comfort to you as you will be able to comfort others with the same trial. “When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor. 1:4b nlt)

It is difficult going through trials of suffering, but assuring for the Christian who knows God the Father is there to provide comfort. And our suffering will be turned to comfort and our comfort will become joy as the Lord uses us as His agent for comfort to others.

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT – God Offers Comfort to All – All praise – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Comforting the Brokenhearted

Loring Schultz

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 NLT

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            I can say with confidence that there is not one person alive today who has not had their heart broken. If by chance you claim you have not, the Lord bless you but keep on reading for that day will come. Brokenheartedness is set in motion for many different reasons. The death of a loved one, the loss of a of budding relationship, a marriage ending in divorce, the need to move away from your family, the loss of a job, rejection by your children or parents, and loneliness are just a few of the causes of a broken heart.

            King David penned Psalm 34 exalting God with praise and thanksgiving and stressing the goodness of the Lord. David is one who has had a broken heart on more than one occasion. The death of his best friend Jonathan, the rejection by King Saul and his desire to kill David, the death of David’s first child with Bathsheba, and the rebellion and death of his son Absalom are examples of David’s firsthand knowledge of brokenheartedness. Yet David was always ready to praise the Lord and seek Him for he knew only the Lord can bring comfort to a broken heart.

            To those of you who may be brokenhearted today and your spirit crushed, we have a great comforter in the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah prophesized of His coming, referring to Christ, Isaiah wrote “He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” (Is. 61:1b NLT) Jesus does indeed comfort those with a broken heart. He came to release us from the captivity of sin by dying on the cross for our guilt. He has set us free, but not to be on our own. He is with us promising never to leave us or forsake us and that includes comforting us when we are brokenhearted.

Read Psalm 34, In Praise of God’s Goodness: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34&version=GNT