Welcome to week 3 of our Psalm 119 study!
What do you run to for comfort?
For me it is people. If I am sad or scared or worried or discouraged I go to my husband or friends.
But people are not the only source of comfort, right? Some seek comfort in their money, retail therapy, food, work, or sleep. Others try to escape through fiction books or movies. And sadly, some pick really dangerous ways of coping by using drugs and alcohol.
There is nothing wrong with seeking comfort from others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us that we are to encourage each other. It is also fine to watch a funny movie to make us laugh when we are feeling a bit down. But we can’t rely on earthly things to bring real lasting comfort.
Once the friends leave or the movie is over we are right back in the midst of our suffering. Earthly things can only comfort us in part, but the Psalmist tells us that there is a place we can go to find real lasting comfort.
Each eight verse section in Psalm 119 has a theme, and today Psalm 119:49-56 deals with God’s word as our comforter. Verse 50, in particular, is a key verse for us:
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.
If we accept them by faith then these words become personal. These words are not from some God, but from our God. They are words to us from our Father and from our Redeemer. We belong to him, and he cares for us.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction ~ 2 Cor. 1:3-4
God’s word can give us peace while we are in the midst of a wild storm. It can bring comfort while we are afraid, tired, and worn out. We can have hope that he will see us through to the other side.
Romans 15 tells us that “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
The best comfort we find in Scripture is that Christ died for us. It puts everything else into perspective. We have something far better waiting for us. These hard times – while they are difficult – will only last for awhile.
God’s word has the ability to give us life in the midst of any circumstance… life that is made up of hope, joy, praise and strength.
Looking To Jesus,
Week 3 Challenge:
Think about something that is making life hard – it can be fatigue, illness, relationship problems. Then find Scripture that can give you hope and comfort in the midst of your circumstance. Look at God’s character, look at his promises, and look to Christ’s work on your behalf.
Week 3 Video:
Week 3 Memory Verse:
Week 3 Reading Plan:
Really true, only in His word we can find comfort and a quiet time in prayer give us peace and rest! Remind us Lord to turn to you instead of finding earthly comfort!
Ralambotiana,
Well said! With great intentions I seek quiet time with God, it helps me face the day. Praying with you ‘that we turn to the Lord instead of earthly comfort’.
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
Yes every one can leave us!!!but Jesus Christ will never leave us nor forsake us He is satisfied us always He is my Comforter, Councilor,Healer,Provider,my forever only You my Lord my Saviour my my Alpah my Omega!!!!…
My hope that I cling to during this life in a world where I dont belong is the PROMISE God gave to anyone who would take up his cross and follow Him – that we will be saved from our sins – adopted into his family and be with him forever. The world challenges this from every angle. Attacking believers for following God’s word. Making a mockery of His Word. To find the strength to persevere we need to be in his word – reminded of the truths that are in His word and His instruction to us. He IS our only hope and we need to stand firm on his foundation and show others that this is the solid rock that will prevent us from sinking into the mire of death and destruction that sin leads us into.
Lori,
You are right, He IS our only hope. We have to be intentional about choosing our words and actions, that Christ shines through. Thank you so much for joining us. Have a great week.
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
Yes! When I get anxious or sad I tend to run to food, and mostly chocolate. The Lord has slowly and gently been teaching me how to run to Him because seriously there is not enough chocolate in the world to comfort during those times. Love the challenge for this week, with an upcoming anniversary of a lost loved one in our lives this week will be a challenge to stay away from the chocolate and stick to God’s word and His character.
Jasmine,
Oh sister in Christ, lifting you up in prayer as you lean on Him this week has you deal with the anniversary of a lost loved one. Thank you for sharing.
Martha, LGG
What Jasmine said about is just completely me. I run to food. Anxious, sad, weary, excited, happy – no matter what it is about food. I think that God is teaching me through this Bible Study to learn to love His Word and spend time studying it and living it. I am hoping to find MY verses from God for my comfort and strength in the hard times instead of food! Right now, I am feeling very blessed that I made the choice to do this study!
Leah,
We are so glad you chose to participate in this study as well. I’m with you food has always been my comfort for just about any emotion. Once I admitted it to myself and to God – I found peace and freedom from ‘running to food’ for comfort. I pray that you find the same peace as you ‘find your verses’ for comfort and strength in God instead of food. Thank you for sharing with us today.
Martha, LGG
Unfortunately, I usually run to food and people for comfort.
I also look for validation from others t let me know if I am a good person. I always feel guilty that I have done or said something wrong to hurt or offend someone.
I really don’t like these emotions and this weeks study will help me to seek Gods face instead of man’s
Olivia,
Praising God that this week’s study will help you to seek God’s face instead of man’s approval. Keep leaning on Him for strength and guidance. Blessings, Martha
Awesome memory verse!
Relationship challenges: I am afraid of a family member when she is angry ! I prayed that God’s love for her would fill my heart so that I would not act out of fear, but out of love.
1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
God’s character: LOVE commitment
Promise: Proverbs 13.30 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. If we walk with the only WISE God, we will soak up wisdom.He gave me the wisdom I needed to reconcile with my loved one
Christ has already…..laid down His life. This indicates that when we lay down our lives, which might mean looking after the needs of others even when it is inconvenient or even when they have hurt us.
JOHN 15.13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Mary, I love how you applied God’s Word to your specific situation. This is how we claim the victory — we pray and persevere as we apply His promises. Continued prayers for you as you love well through the challenges in this relationship.
Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
Mary, I am very concerned for you. To be afraid of a someone’s anger is something that needs special attention. It is imperative that you turn to God in prayer and in His Word to help you find answers and guide you through each situation, but I truly believe you may need the help of a Godly pastor or counselor. Perhaps this person needs “tough love” not just “love.” This blog may not be the place for me to say this to you, but if I don’t, I would feel like I hadn’t followed what God has taught me through my own trials. If you’re not getting help, please do so.
In God’s Love,
Diane
And I am praying for you, Mary.
How very timely as we seek to understand and find comfort in what has transpired in our land this past week. Yes even in the church. People are embracing sin !
I’ve found comfort in the ADONAI and His word. Abba Father has given us His Word , His Promises. If we pay attention to His promises and look to see what He needs for us to do and we follow through we will be like trees with roots secure and grounded in God’s Word. We will not topple over. I have found comfort in His Word reminding me to fix my eyes upon Jesus.
Mia, Thank you for sharing your comment. Praise God that He is a Comfort when we are tossed about. We are glad you are on this journey with us!
Amy A, LGG Encourager
I love this verse. As i know that I have days that I struggle to believe I am good, when times get hard I often say I am not any good, yet I do know deep in my heart that I am. I am trying to find a way not to just blurt out the negative towards myself. I am alone here and have come to realize that others that abuse me do it from afar, yet on a daily basis I am my own abuser.
I would say that I do good, which I do, just not unto myself. I want to treat Gods daughter better.
I hope that by writing this verse and having it pop up as an alarm every hour it will help.
Christy,
I have struggled with negative thinking, too, and I would encourage you to combat the lies of the enemy of your soul by finding verses that remind you how much God loves you and memorizing them to remind you of who you are in Christ. The truth is that you are loved and accepted by God no matter what. “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This verse found in Romans 8:1 really encourages me. The whole chapter is packed full of great verses like these: “… What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:1, 31-33, 37).
May God’s Word comfort you, my sister.
Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
I wonder….Do we have the right to seek the Lord’s favor, grace, and mercy without examining our ways and being quick to turn and follow His commands?