Joel Singleton
Digital & Church Partnerships Coorindator
The God of Future Comfort
Yesterday we learned that God is the God who comforts us now; in every present moment; in our time of greatest need and hurt. Today we learn about the same God who brings comfort for the months and years ahead of us.
Grief is one of those things that will get easier but can often be felt at unexpected moments. Perhaps it’s a person’s face; someone’s personality; a smell; a sight; or an experience that reminds you of who or what has been lost.
It’s not easy because in a sense it can remind you of the empty space that has been left. Friend, let me encourage you today, if you’ll let Him and look for Him, He can fill that space with His goodness and comfort.
As we heard, Rob lost his father at an early age and wondered who would show him what his father wasn’t able to. What happens to the space that’s left? The empty space hurts because it’s a reminder of what’s been lost. But we have a God who knows this, who understands, and who cares. Rob experienced this firsthand.
He experienced the love and care of God over the months and years that came. He says, “God provided someone to fill in that gap, to make sure I wasn’t missing out on that experience.” God knew, as well as Rob, that this wouldn’t replace the memory of his father. But it would make that grieving process just a little more bearable.
‘…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, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]’
Hebrews 13:5 (AMPC)
We’re not promised a life without hurt, not in this one. But we are promised a God who is near to us, who comforts us today, tomorrow, and the rest of our lives.
In the classic edition of the amplified Bible (AMPC), Hebrews 13:5 is put like this…
‘…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, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]’
Response:
Spend 5 minutes reflecting on ways that you can see God working in your life to bring you comfort and care. Perhaps it’s too early on in your grieving process. That’s okay. Allow the truths we’ve learnt yesterday and today, to fill your heart and mind, and give you the comfort you need.
Tomorrow we’ll learn a valuable lesson that will produce all kinds of fruit a little further on in our journey through grief.
