For the last 17 days we have been praising God for all of the ways He acts in our lives, and I, for one, am a bit overwhelmed and humbled. I can’t figure out why I have been struggling with insecurity and fear. Why do I keep worrying and feeling helpless? Ever?

How can I look at WHO God is and WHAT He does and still crumble?

As I picture my Rescuer, Rock, Refuge, Fortress, Stronghold, Shield, Fighter, Helper and Hiding Place, my courage rises.Whatever my need, my all-sufficient Lord has me covered! He reigns on the Throne as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Everyday He is my Savior, Forgiver, and Redeemer. Just writing this paragraph causes my heart to fill and my spine to straighten.

But guess what… WE AREN’T DONE! After all, this is 31 Days of Thanking God. But let me tell you something you probably already know- 31 Days is not enough! We can’t possibly cover all of WHO God is and WHAT He does in a mere 31 days. That would take eternity. But we can at least keep trying, so today we will praise the God who is our Comforter.

Our God is our Comforter, who lovingly cares for us as we face trials. He is the Father of mercies and He is the God of ALL comfort. And because He never wastes ANYTHING, He not only comforts us, at the same time He is teaching us how to comfort each other.

• 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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV)

When Jesus stood on that Galilean mount and gave His famous sermon, He made the promise that when we mourn, not only will the Lord bless us, but He will COMFORT us, too.

• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 ESV)

What does God’s comfort look like? The following Scripture is a glorious picture of the loving care that flows from the character of our merciful and gracious Lord, who doesn’t deal with us as we deserve. He is our compassionate Father, who takes our hand and cares for us. Even if your earthly father did not treat you kindly, your Heavenly Father always will.

• The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. ... As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:8, 10, 13-14 ESV)

One way God shows us Comforter is through the love of His people. I thank God for the numerous times a Believer showed up at just the right time and said the perfect thing to bring comfort.

• But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, (2 Corinthians 7:6 ESV)

Our Comforter also works through His Word to give us hope.

• For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4 NKJV)

The way God directs me with His rod and staff (which just might feel like discipline at the time) is part of His work as Comforter.

• Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 ESV)

One role the Holy Spirit has in our life is Comforter. The continual presence of the Holy Spirit means the Comforter is always available.

• And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16 KJV)

And then there is Jesus. Oh my Jesus, You are sent by the Father to bring comfort and restoration. To break your people out of prison, to comfort all who mourn, and to replace sorrow with praise.

• The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give ... the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness... (Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV)

The care of our Comforter brings gladness and joy. God the Comforter adopts orphans, protects widows, liberates prisoners, and puts lonely ones into a family. That is a LOT of comfort going on. The Lord comforts us where we are and then redeems our situation to His glory and our healing.

• But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. (Psalm 68:3-6 ESV)

Prayer

Thank You, God of ALL comfort. Thank You that right in the middle of experiencing trials, I can simultaneously experience Your comfort. Thank You for Your compassionate care which enables me to persevere.

Thank You for Your promise that You will bless my mourning and You will comfort me during it. Your gracious mercy is a blessing. Your loving arms, surrounding me and carrying me through tough days, demonstrate Your heart. I am grateful that You know how weak I am and yet You still love me so.

Lord, thank You for the people that You send to minister to me. The care and love I have received from others is astounding.

I praise You for the life-breathing ministry of the Bible. Every Word is sustenance to my heart and hope to my soul.

Thank You for giving me the comfort of Your direction as You lead me in the way I should go. I am so grateful I don’t live with the insecurity of no instructions.

I thank You for sending Your Spirit to abide in me and bring comfort as I experience Your presence every day.

And Jesus- how can I ever praise You enough for bringing the good news to my needy soul, for binding my broken heart, and for granting liberty to this former prisoner. You continue to comfort me and replace my sorrow with gladness. Thank You for the joy of following You.

You have made me glad and joyful- not because of my circumstances, but because of Your presence and companionship.

Amen

I pray the Lord comforts any hurting part of your heart today as You praise our Comforter! Oh dear one, rest in the loving arms of your Comforter today!

• Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:1-3 ESV)