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Listen while you read: "Beneath The Shadow Of The Cross"1 (Lyrics) |
2 Corinthians 1:3 – All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. (NLT)
My wife and I are quickly moving towards being patriarch and matriarch of our family.
Though I try not to think about it, I know that the time is approaching when my mother and my in-laws will die. I remember the sorrow that I felt when my father died, but at least I had my mother left. When she's gone, there will be no parents left. My wife's parents are more aged than my mother and will soon succumb to death as well. The day is coming when our children and grandchildren will have only us to look to — as we did our parents. How we'll handle the last parent dying, I'm not sure.
According to Paul, God is the source of all comfort — and Paul needed it. Since trusting Christ as his Saviour, turmoil and trials had hounded him. Beatings, stonings, jail time — he faced them all, but he found his comfort in knowing that God was in control and that he was doing God's will.
God hasn't changed roles. As He comforted Paul, so He comforts me — not only when I lose a loved one but also as I face life's challenges each day. Paying attention to how God comforts me helps me to be a better comforter.
God's comfort never runs out nor does He ever tire of giving it. Giving comfort to others is taxing and can drain the emotions. God can handle the task, for He is all-powerful. Nothing that I face is too difficult for Him to know how to comfort me.
Comforting others is often inconvenient. Jesus' ministry was filled with interruptions from others. When I choose to comfort others, I, too, will have to deal with being inconvenienced. Death, accidents, and broken relationships never happen at a convenient time.
Comforting others takes time that I could use for something else — perhaps something more enjoyable. True comfort is more than shooting someone a text or email, or posting a "prayers" comment on their Facebook post. It involves hands-on activities when possible.
While comforting others is time-consuming, doing so brings comfort to me and fulfills part of God's plan for my life. He designed us to be involved in others' lives. I can fully appreciate God's comfort only when I channel it to others.
Let's not soak up God's comfort without squeezing out some for others.
Prayer: Father, use us as instruments of comfort to those who are hurting. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Thanks, Martin, for this encouraging word! Blessings.
Thanks, Martin, for a good word.
Blessings.
Nicely said, Martin, and something all need to hear and understand. Thank you.
Thanks, Martin. I was just comforting someone this morning whose husband is dying. Timely message.
Thank you, Martin, for these words of wisdom today. Timely advice for me as a good friend of ours is facing the death of his wife very soon. Blessings.
Thank you, Martin for a down-to-earth truth that demonstrates exactly what is needed when someone is hurting. Thank you for opening my eyes to that need today.
Good morning Martin,
Good words indeed, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
PS. I have been the patriarch on my side of the family for over 30 years!
Blessings.
Thanks for this very wise and helpful message about comforting. I identify with the inconvenience and time involved expressing comfort to my friends through very challenging circumstances.
May God continue to bless you as you shine God’s love and comfort to others.
My father died at 92 last fall. I am at my mom’s today handling the estate work. She is 90. They were married 70 years and wonderful role models. Thank you for your words today. It’s the new year and I would like to be home and exercising and cleaning out my home. However, all those new year resolutions aren’t nearly as important as being present and patient with my mom. Thank you again and have a wonderful day.
(Texas)
Greetings Martin,
Very good devotional with excellent advice. Yes, it is amazing the comfort feeling we can get when we reach out and extend a helping hand to someone or just listen quietly as they express some sadness or dilemma happening in their lives and in turn God is right there to guide and comfort us through life happenings.
Blessings for your writings.
(B.C.)
My husband’s oldest sibling had quite a time with just this issue their father died in but when their Mother died many years later, at 95, all he could say is ‘now I am the old one of the family’. This brother is doing fairly well but his wife died over a years ago and that made him feel extra old.
It comes to all of us unfortunately or fortunately whichever way we see it. In today’s paper a lady just before her 101-birthday passed away in her sleep. It is wonderful that she died so peacefully.
(ON)
Yes, it is likely to shake things up. Myself, I felt orphaned. Bereft. Abandoned. Standing graveside and realizing I was now the old generation. And turning to the Lord, knowing He will never leave me nor forsake me has been the stronghold of my life as people come into it and depart from it. I find as matriarch, that things are different now than for my parents. My children don’t come to me so much. They often go to google for answers. But they do look to me for strength and comfort and wisdom. We are sounding boards, often praying for and with them and pointing them to God, Who is the One they also need, Who lives and reigns forever. Blessings. Every stage of life has its challenges. By grace we master them.
Dear Martin,
I enjoyed your Devotion.
This morning I was also reminded that suffering is only temporary.
The glory that awaits us, is eternal!
God’s best to you.