Finding Comfort — Sunday Thought For The Day

John Wesley, the father of Methodism said: “My ground is the bible. Yea, I am a bible bigot. I follow it in all things, both great and small.” (The Methodist Book Concern, 1903) Before I ever knew the quote was accredited to Wesley, I would say: “I’m a bigoted bible believer.” And while I’m no John Wesley, I remain a “bigoted bible believer.”

I believe that the word of God is immutable and I believe God’s word is sufficient to guide me every day of my life through every situation in my life. [“God’s] word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” I also am persuaded that God the Holy Spirit inhabits His word.

Thus there is no valley so low that His word cannot comfort; and I pray I never reach a mountain that I do not need Him to stand with me on the top.

After my mother had passed as I awaited my flight back home, I remember the verses of scripture, the bible studies, sermons and hymns that flooded my mind providing me peace and comfort.

There is not a time that I open my bible but that I do not expect to receive the blessing that comes from spending time in it.

When I am sad I turn to my bible; when I am depressed and/or discouraged I turn to my bible. Earlier this spring I was stricken with illness that kept me bedridden for nearly two months. The pain and discomfort I experienced during those weeks were a constant companion; but I experienced wonderful moments of relief when my wife would read the bible to me during that period of time.

I read a lot of things because of the nature of my work, but there is nothing that I have read nor have ever read that feeds my spirit like God’s word. In His word I find instruction that “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” That I/we “may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good words.”

My friends, I ask you, are you a bigoted bible believer. Do you turn to the bible for the comfort you desire before you turn to a drink, a pharmaceutical or a latest self-help book? I am not saying that there is never a time for medicine and/or a doctor; goodness knows I needed both when I sick in bed.

That notwithstanding, there is no comfort and guidance that we will ever know that matches that found in the holy bible, unless we know the author of the bible as our personal Savior. I encourage you to seek ye the Lord while He may be found.

The scriptures tell us to examine ourselves. Who or what do we turn to for solace? If it is not the scriptures, the solace will be serendipitous and fleeting at best. But with the God of scripture, His word is from everlasting to everlasting.

READ:2 Corinthians 1:3-53 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort,4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.