A Little Comfort

Light In Times Of Darkness

Read Psalm 112: 1 –10

‘Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.’
(Ps. 112: 4)

Every believer who wishes to know God more intimately must accept that there
will be times of sunshine along his pilgrimage, but also times when dark clouds of
affliction will cover his path. For some time things may go well and you are joyfully
aware of spiritual growth and progress. Then God in such a glorious reality to you; doubt
doesn’t have a chance to crawl into the heart and joy floods your life.
Unfortunately this condition is never permanent. Perhaps as a result of rebellious
disobedience, or because of allowing your love for the Master to wane, the cloud of
despondency will descend upon your spiritual life.
When that happens, it is essential to re-establish in your mind the fact that God is
unchanging. His love for you remains exactly what it always was. He is still calling his
children to his heart and wants to have fellowship with us. He is still our Protector and
our Guide. God never changes and even though we are in dark depths; his love will
surround us and keep us.
Experience has taught that the time spent in the dark valley are never wasted. You
may find it hard to accept; despondency may cover your life like a dark shroud, and God
may seem far off and uninvolved. Yet, hold on steadfastly to the assurance that God loves
you and that He cares for you. Never question his goodness or his purpose for your life.
Fortunately, the dark times are not so permanent. You will step out of the shadows with
new strength, and being stronger and wiser, you will walk in his sunshine again.
 When Sorrow Knocks

Read Mathew 28: 16 - 20

‘ … I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’

(Mt. 28: 20)

Sorrow and sadness bring about a radical change in one’s private world. Where
previously one experienced love, companionship and understanding, there now exists a
painful void which can only be understood by those who have experienced it themselves.
Sorrow can come to you in numerous guises. The most common form is the death of a
loved one. For many years you shared your life with such a dear one and now he or she is
dead and you feel completely alone and lost.
Always remember that this sorrow is actually for your self, because it can not
possibly be because your loved one is with the Lord. If that person could speak to you,
the message would be: “Don’t cry for me; rather rejoice with me. In actual fact I am only
really living now for the first time, and like never before.” Don’t grieve for those who
went ahead of you by morning without end. They are now living in the encompassing
love of God.
Sorrow can also destroy a family when the foolishness of one member brings
shame on all the others. This is always a very bitter experience and those who endure it
feel as if the whole world is pointing a condemning finger at them. This however is not
true. Many people are very sincere in their sympathy because they are only too aware of
their own weaknesses and vulnerability. The majority of people forget easily. Can you
still remember the scandalous headlines that were in the paper two months ago? The wise
thing to do is to start reconstructing, without paying attention to what others say or think.
Death and shame are no issues which you should handle on your own. Christ has
personal experience of both and He triumphed over both.
 Understanding The Saviour

Read Hebrews 2: 10 - 18

‘For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are
tempted.’
(Heb. 2: 18)

Never allow self-reproach to discourage you to the extent where you let go of all
efforts to live the life Christ has intended for you. This can happen so easily. Perhaps you
have a big hidden moral weakness in your being which you have been trying to overcome
for a very long time. You were very sincere in your intentions to break its bondage, but
unfortunately you failed every time. Now you are hampered spiritually to such an extent
that, every time you face this temptation, you have convinced yourself that you are going
to fail again.
You may feel totally despondent because of your regular failures, but Christ
knows you better than you know yourself and He still maintains his trust in you. He
knows the intensity of your temptations, because He, just like you – and probably more
so – suffered under temptation. He withstood his most severe temptation and triumphed
over them and in his great love He wants you to do the same.
The fact that He understands doesn’t mean that He condones your weakness. It
simply means that He doesn’t underestimate its power and influence in your life. He
places a power at your disposal which ensures that you could overcome every temptation
in his Name, thus living triumphantly.
This power is the gift of his indwelling presence which He gives when you love
Him with your mind and your emotions. When your love for Him takes control of your
whole being, you start living on victory ground. This is an immeasurable comfort for the
storm tossed human heart.
 Let Christ Light Up Your Life

Read Isaiah 60: 13 - 22

‘… But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God to glory.’
(Is. 60: 19)

In each of our lives there comes a time when we need encouragement and
strengthening. Perhaps problems are weighing heavily on your minds; perhaps life seems
to be empty and meaningless; our dreams could have caved in like a house of cards, plans
could have failed and not have been realized. That is the time when we search for
something which will lift us up out of the quicksand of despair and despondency and add
new meaning and purpose to our lives.
I can say to you without the slightest trace of doubt in my heart that the solution
to your problem lies in your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Saviour and redeemer.
Christ came to this world as the Light and He has lit up the lives of all those whom He
touched. The healing power which flows from Him has brought healing not to the body
only, but for the spirit as well. Those who came in touch with Him, have found their lives
transformed by his divine influence. And they experienced tranquility and peace of mind.
If it seems to you as if the light in your life has gone out, enquire after Christ.
Seek Him in prayer, in his Word, in creation and in the quietness of your closet.
Gradually his power will flow into your life, His light will light up the shadows in your
life, and his peace will bring calm into your soul. Christ offers you the real life in all its
abundance.
 When Things Go Terribly Wrong

Read Isaiah 17: 1 - 11

‘Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not been mindful
of the Rock of your stronghold…’
(Is. 17:10)

Perhaps at this point in time, for some or other reason, you are going through a
difficult time in your life. Perhaps you have lost your job and are searching in vain for
another; perhaps you are in the process of getting divorced and it’s causing you much
pain; perhaps a very special relationship with a friend broke up; or perhaps everything is
just going wrong for you. It could be that you are even contending with God in a faith
battle; it might feel as if you are groping around in the dark, disillusioned by the past,
confused by the present and fearful of what the future holds. In these, and similar
situations, man is inclined to look for something or somebody to blame. You simply
cannot understand how things could possibly have gone so wrong and you are
overwhelmed by a spirit of self-pity.
Perhaps you are presently experiencing a similar situation. Have you considered
the possibility yet that perhaps consciously or unconsciously you’ve drifted away from
God? In your preoccupation with your own disasters and problems you have tried to set
your life on track in your own strength.
In essence, the prerequisite for a life of happiness and fulfillment is that you will
allow God to take over. Put Him in control of your plans and actions. He knows what the
future holds and only wants the very best for you. If you spend time with Him in prayer
and follow obediently wherever He leads you, you will find that in the living Christ you
have a friend who is a rock and a refuge who will never leave or forsake you.
 The Sudden Fright

Read Psalm 23

‘… God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
(Heb. 13: 5)

“We were so happy together that day … Suddenly he pointed to me anxiously.

When he fell, I crouched next to him to help him up and realized it was all over. He was
gone. At that moment I was so aware of the Lords presence. Almost tangible. God is
here. With us.”
Today my friend can tell everybody;
“Don’t live in fear. The day death touches your family you will experience that God is
with you, intensely involved with you.”
For this to happen we should already be deeply anchored in the Lord and
experience an intimate relationship with Him during the “ordinary days” of our lives.
Nowhere in his Word does, He promise that the grief and anguish of this life will pass us
by. He does, however, promise to be with us during this grief: Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
(Ps. 23:4)
The words in The Amplified Bible are so descriptive that I would like to share
them with you: …for He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give
you up nor leave you without support. [I will] … not in any degree leave you helpless nor
forsake nor let you down (relax my hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] … (Heb. 13:5 AMP).
Stronger words than these to describe the everlasting faithfulness of God, we cannot
possibly desire.
Live today from this promise.
 Gods Testing Room

Read James 1: 2 - 8

‘Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.’
(Jas. 1: 3)

Sometimes God places us in one of his testing rooms of life. So it is with a friend
of mine. Year after year she has devotedly been taking care of her invalid husband. She
has so many functions in life: marriage partner, nurse, housekeeper, cook, gardener and
even typist, because she has to bring in an extra income.
Your circumstances differ from hers. Your testing room may even be worse. Your
strength is found in the Lord and you know you ought to rejoice in the Lord and not in
your circumstances. In James 1:2 we read that you should consider it pure joy, my
brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds… But sometimes, just because you are
human, it almost overwhelms you and then you at least appreciate and experience the
words of James.
I believe we have a lot to learn from my friend. Something which has meant a lot
to her, is asking the Lord for mercy for only one day, and receiving it. She never tries to
solve her problems in advance. With exceptional singleness of purpose she merely
tackles the demands of each day and tries to handle these with so much love and patience.
Sometimes she stumbles, but she gets up again, apologizes for her impatience or lack of
love and presses on. She definitely has something there. … Every single moment:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day
has enough trouble of its own.”
(Mt. 6:34)
Purposefully He walks with us. Feel this. Experience his presence as a choice of
life. Live with this disposition today and every day.
 Don’t Be Afraid

Read Isaiah 41: 8 – 20

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you.
Do not fear; I will help you.”
(Is. 41: 13)

You know it so well. That feeling of fear, anxiousness, loneliness, which comes
over you unexpectedly. Something you almost experience as physical pain or discomfort.
Anxiousness stemming from your subconscious mind. You are completely helpless
against it.
Helpless? If the almighty Son of God is your Friend and Ally? No definitely not!
Believe Him when He tells you: “Don’t be afraid, I am with you, I will help you.”
These words are repeated throughout the Bible like a refrain. Three hundred and sixty
five times, I once read. Once for every day of the year.
Make this promise your own through faith. Thank Him for it. Completely open up
your soul to Him. Actively experience the wonder of his Spirit living within you.
Experience Him as your Source of strength … be strong in the Lord … draw your
strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]
(Eph. 6: 10, AMP).
And how does his strength become yours? Only when you realize you are a part
of Him like a branch is part of a vine (cf.Jn. 15). Your responsibility in it is really quite
simple; just remain in Him. “Dost thou ask how I abide? How this life I can maintain? I
am bound to the Vine by life’s strong band, and I only need remain. “This is how Freda
Hanbury describes this life in Christ.
 How To Acquire New Strength

Read Isaiah 40: 25 – 31

‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be
faint.’
(Is 40:31)

“How can I acquire new strength to walk the path of so much suffering?
Make my way day by day without bending under the burden that life has placed
on my shoulders?” This is the question you are struggling with in your heart.
The Word of the Lord answers us quite plainly: “Those who trust in the
Lord receive renewed strength.” But how can a frail human being trust when his
whole life is crumbling around him?
Look at Him, the God of Isaiah. Your God. My God. Read the whole of
chapter 40 and behold Him in all his mighty power, his creative omnipotence and
realize his love and affection for you. Why then do you think the Lord is not
aware of you? Of course He is aware of you. You are a child of his kingdom and
therefore He regards you as more important than the entire creation: … He will
not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives
strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
(Is. 40: 28 – 29) … Believe Him!
There is only one way to acquire this strength: Trust in the Lord. Let your
heart become quiet. Wait. Wait for the Lord to help you in your time of need. He
does this when you trust in Him alone and truly start seeking his answer, maybe
from his Word, a conversation with a friend or even from the silence in your own
heart.
 What Comfort Do We Find In Death

Read Romans 8: 37 – 39

‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life … will be able to separate us from
the love of God. …’
(Rom. 8: 38 – 39)

What do you say to someone whose life has been touched by death? It’s one of
our greatest nightmares. We would like to provide comfort, but we don’t know even
where to start.
Of course nothing you say can actually take away the pain. Our words are much
too weak to do that. Being in the presence of somebody who is suffering like this, is
therefore much more important than your actual words. And it is through our prayers that
we sustain him, rather than through any words of comfort we may think of.
But this is also the comfort the Bible offers us; death has lost its bite. It can still
hurt us, but one thing it can not do; it can not come between God and us. On the other
side of death He awaits us with open arms.
 You Are Not Alone

Read John 16: 12 – 15

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you unto all truth. He will
not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what
is yet to come.”
(Jn. 16: 13).

Some of the most wonderful news we read in the Bible that is God not only came
close to us in Jesus – that is after all what Emmanuel means – but that He comes even
closer to us when He comes to live within us. His Spirit lives within each believer.
It has far – reaching consequences for those who believe. Among other things it
means that, wherever we go, God will always be there with us. He will be with us every
minute. You will therefore never be alone; not even when you have to make a difficult
decision and you are at your wits end. He is always ready to expressly direct you and we
know that God knows everything. He knows the future and therefore He can direct you
unfailingly in the right direction. What a wonderful privilege.
 What will It Be Like There?

Read Revelations 21: 3 – 7

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has past away.”
(Rev. 21: 4)

People have the most wonderful ideas of what it would be like in heaven, like the
fact that we would always be singing. As if they have been there themselves!
Of course we know very little about what it will be like. We only know that God
will eradiate all the bad things that are the cause of sin within us. You should really make
a list of these things; illness and death, hate and envy, pain and suffering, drought and
famine, crime and war. Furthermore the devil will not be there to upset everything either.
And God will be everything and will be present within everyone. And if you think
of that which we know about Him, you do have some idea of what it will be like; love
will reign supreme and everything that has caused us so much sorrow in this life will be
something of the past forever. Won’t it be wonderful?
 What Comfort Is There For The Lonely?

Read Psalm 27: 10 – 14

‘Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.’
(Ps. 27: 10)

Aloneness can be a very positive force. It can bring you into renewed contact with
the Lord. But loneliness is a completely different story. It is never enjoyable. It’s rather
awful when you want to talk to somebody and there is no one you can share anything
with. And yet loneliness is a part of the daily lives of thousands of people.
There might even be days in your life when you feel lonely. Then you to will
experience what a bitter cross it is to bear. Then remember the promise in the Bible also
applies to you; even when everyone deserts you – and your parents may have passed
away – you can hold on to the fact that God promised He would never forsake us. He will
always be there for his children. Therefore, no one who believes will really be totally
alone.
 Words Of Comfort

Read 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 18

‘Therefore encourage each other with these words.’

(1 Thes 4: 18)

We don’t live in compartments. You either live with your entire being in praise of
the Lord, or not at all. Therefore, it is extremely important to serve the Lord with every
single part of you, including your mouth. And how would you do this?
One of the most important things we can do with our mouths is to encourage each
other. It’s wonderful when things simply overwhelm you and a Christian friend puts his
hand on your shoulder, and reminds you of the promise of God, which you may know all
too well, but which should just be reminded of at that stage. Like the fact that God is
always there and nothing can separate us from his love. This is what the Bible means by
saying:
‘… Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for
building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.’
(Eph. 4: 29)