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Comfort from God's Word

When I am struggling with a problem, I try to think of solutions from my available resources, such as life experiences, education, self-help books, and people around me. All too often when I remember my final resource I realize it should have been my first one—God and His word! Have you ever “been there, done that”?

Recently my best friend, actually my dearest buddy for the past 43 years, became seriously ill. This affected her life as well as mine—even though we lived hundreds of miles apart. Comfort and compassion is what I needed to give her, and what I needed to receive. This came from our best, though sometimes nearly forgotten, resource—God’s word.

God lavishes on us exactly what we need, which at this time was comfort and compassion. The following verses are a great example of hope, and even more specifically God's comfort and compassion.

Lamentations 3:22-23, 32
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
  for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
  great is your faithfulness.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
  so great is his unfailing love.”

A few weeks ago my dear friend went home to be with the LORD, having believed in Jesus as her Savior. She is in a glorious place! And now, thanks to the nurturing benefits of God’s word, I can lavish His word on others, as God brings us together. (You know how God puts other people in our paths—divine appointments—so that we can help them, or they can help us, or both help each other.)

I continued my search for beneficial Scriptures and found another favorite passage with some helpful study notes. I believe it is the longest chapter, if psalms qualify as chapters, in the Bible. As you look at it and hopefully read it in its entirety, here is one of the study notes as found in the NIV Encouragement Bible, New International Version: The Answer For Those Who Hurt.*

What a boundless resource is the Word of God! This psalm lists just a few of its benefits:

Psalm 119

• Shows how to live a pure life (v. 11)
• Brings delight and counsel (v. 24)
• Strengthens the weary (v. 28)
• Promises salvation (v. 41)
• Gives hope (v. 43)
• Preserves life (v. 50)
• Provides comfort (v. 52)
• Makes one wise (v. 98)
• Gives insight (v. 99)
• Provides understanding (v. 100)
• Sheds light (v. 105)
• Creates a joyful heart (v. 111)
• Sustains the weak (v. 116)
• Prompts godly fear (v. 120)
• Keeps one from stumbling (v. 165)
• Encourages a spirit of praise (v. 171)

I think this would make a helpful bookmark to stick in your Bible. And I hope it will help you as it has helped me. Again, we can be an encouragement and help to each other in our daily struggles and joys, especially as we remember our greatest resource—God and His word.

"Dear Lord, thank you for loving us so much that you provided us with everything we need, including your encouraging word. Especially as we go through troubling times, your word sustains us, lifting up our spirits each step of the way. Help us to open our Bibles and our hearts. We pray in your Son and our Savior, Jesus’ name. Amen."

*"Joni and Friends, the Disability Outreach of Joni Eareckson Tada," 2001 by The Zondervan Corporation.