| something I came across today while doing QT |
[Oct. 8th, 2009|12:34 am] |
Affliction that is not painful and involves no struggle is no affliction at all. The man of the world turns to anything and everything that can give him comfort in the midst of affliction. The gambler holds his lottery tickets in his hands and says, "This is my comfort." The drunkard lifts his glass and sings, "This is my comfort." The smoker exhales the cigarette smoke like a "dragon" and says, "This is my comfort." Still others will pick up their family portrait or bank passbooks or credit cards and say, "This is my comfort." How many will hold up his Bible and say, "This is my comfort"? Perhaps not even pastors or preachers truly do it though they preach it!
Although we do not know what the psalmist's affliction is, he says the Word of God is his comfort. The context of the psalm seems to point to some political conflict that David was facing. Whatever it is, he found comfort in God and His Word. He is likened to a man who was completely lost in the jungle until a navigator came to his rescue and led him to safety. When lost, it is so easy to give up and wallow in self-despair. This is when comfort needs to come in and do its work. God's Word is like a road map that shows us the way out. The Spirit of God is like a torch that lights up the path before us. What a great comfort! Thank God for His Spirit and His Word.
Comfort is desirable at all times. Many are unable to find comfort in troubled times. This must not be so for us who are children of God because we have God's promise: "I will not leave you comfortless"
(John 14:18 ). Spurgeon says, "Some have comfort and no affliction, others have affliction and no comfort; but the saints have comfort in their affliction." Oh, what a great comfort to every weary soul in his affliction who is absolutely safe in the hands of his God. May God help us. Amen. |
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