Looking for Comfort

Psalm 119:25-32

Verse 28  My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.

    As we continue our venture of diving into the Word, we take a look at a time in our lives that none of us are fond of, the troubles and sorrows of life.

    The psalmist brings us to a place today that we can all relate with.  We all know what it is like to go through the low times of life that come from sorrow and feeling unsettled about life.  These times may look a bit different for each of us, but they all bring the same feelings of wondering what has just happened and what is next in life.

    The psalmist points out in our key verse that he knew the only reprieve that could bring his mind from the depths of sorrow was the Word.  This can be true for us as well.  When things are going in circles in life, it is good to find the solid ground of Christ that comes from digging into the Word.  The stability that can be found in the Scriptures is unlike the encouragement we find elsewhere because in the Bible we find comfort through seeing how faithful God is in so many different situations.

    The Bible has many different stories of things God has done to pull His people through.  We see examples like the life of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers, lied about when he chose purity which landed him in prison, and then God brings him through to show him the reason that he had been allowed to go through those things.  God used those hard and troubling times in Joseph’s life so that he would be in the right place to save God’s people from a 7 year famine (Genesis 37, 39-46).  Joseph summed it up perfectly when he said to his brothers, “But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place.  It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.”  (Genesis 45:5)

    We need to take the advice of the psalmist and see the questionable times in life as times to seek Him and His Word like never before.  We can see comfort in the pages of the psalms as we see how David and the other psalmists are real with God about their feelings.  We will find the same raw feelings that we are dealing with and will see the ways they felt God was comforting them.  The next time we are feeling unsettled in life, let’s try diving into the Word and finding comfort in the reminders of His constant faithfulness.

Making It Personal

    Have you ever felt sorrow or unsettled which had you thinking you were drowning?  Did you seek comfort from the Word or something else?  What will you do next time you feel these feelings?

Making It Personal Kids

    What makes you feel sad or unsettled?  Have you ever read a Bible story to help you feel better?  What story helps you feel like God will always take care of you?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for giving us Your Word which is filled with testimonies of Your gracious faithfulness.  Please give us a hunger to seek You for comfort.  In Jesus’ name, amen.