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Listen while you read: "Love Divine All Loves Excelling"1 (Lyrics) |
The first line of the email read: "Have you ever felt the weight of the world pressing in, drowning out the gentle whispers of God's love?" It was an email from a Christian clothing company, so I figured that it was some kind of pitch for a new brand of apparel that they were selling. I was wrong. It was a short devotional of encouragement for the reader. There was no sales ad embedded in the email, but there were two Scriptures that were unexpectedly applicable to my life.
Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (ESV)
Psalm 23:1-3 – The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name's sake. (CSB)
Life changed for me and my family in August, 2023, when my daddy died. It was sudden and unexpected, as we were unaware that he had the lung disease that took over. Grief wrapped around us, as it does anyone who experiences the loss of a loved one.
In these two passages, particularly the one from Zephaniah — "he will quiet you by his love" — I found the best promises of God. He is not quieting us by making us not speak, but by helping us to be at peace. Other translations speak of how God offers us rest and a spirit of calmness: "He will renew you with His love" (ISV) and "he'll calm you with his love" (MSG)
Be it sadness from the loss of a loved one, stress over what to do in the chaos that life brings us sometimes, like changes in health conditions, financial conditions, and family relationships, or just melancholy feelings for no real reason, we have hope that all will turn out to be okay, as God's plans are for us to have peace and to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11).
My dad loved coffee. He found something comforting in sitting down with a cup of coffee at the table or at his desk. The cup of coffee was a cup of comfort for him.
Let us rely on God to be our cup of comfort whenever we need it, no matter where we are.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the peace that You promise us and give us, and for quieting our hearts and minds during moments when we have allowed the world to overwhelm us. Remind us of the comfort that we can receive if we just open our hearts to You. Thank You for loving us. Amen.
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Amen Becky.
Thanks for the comforting words, Becky.
Wonderful devotional Becky on God’s comfort. Thank you!
Sorry for your loss. May God continue to comfort you and give you peace.
Loved your devotional today. Perfect timing. Sending to my friends.
God bless.
In this troubled world we cling to Love Divine Love Excelling. Thank you for this comforting message.
Thank you for all your dedication in uplifting us and bringing us closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thankyou for some good thought.
I have cards that say “this is the day the Lord made” I put in cards.
(Ontario Canada)
Thank you for sharing your grief. I always think of “blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”
Blessings.
So true about the cup of morning coffee. I have left my husband’s cup and coffee pod as it was set for him. It began my day with him too.
Thank you for today’s read.
Greetings:
A note to thank you for your thoughts.
Every blessing to you and yours.
(Ontario)
Good morning
Thankyou for this devotional today. We can be so thankful for the peace God gives no matter what is going on in and out lives.
God bless.
Becky – It’s been 22 years since my Dad died. God continues to wrap me in loving memories, and to encourage others to share their stories about interactions with him. The love is always alive and vibrant.
May you find comfort in God’s care.
Thank you, Becky, for this wonderful devotional today. The message was very uplifting to me, arriving just as I am up early after having a worrisome few days about a situation over which I have no control……but God does. Have a good day, and God Bless You.
(Canada)
Good morning, Becky,
Thank you for today’s devotional, it was lovely. “God offers us rest and a spirit of calmness: “He will renew you with His love” (ISV) and “he’ll calm you with his love” (MSG).
Peace!
Condolences on the loss of your daddy.
I know how painful it is to lose loved ones.
I also know that we will meet again at the feet of Jesus.
Meanwhile we carry on doing what we can.
Shalom.
Thank you, Becky, for your encouraging devotional today. Yes, we receive the greatest comfort from our loving Lord as he is ever there for us when we seek Him and follow the plans laid out for us. May His comfort surround you as you go forward after the passing of your Dad. Blessings for your special and heartfelt writing.
Good morning, Becky,
Thank you for sharing these passages which helped you to gain the peace and comfort you need. A cup of coffee or a warm drink does help us feel comforted and I can see that picture of your dad for you is special. Let us all “Open our hearts” to God and be comforted and loved. Blessings.
Thanks for this blessing! I found the same comfort, December 2022, when my son died.
(BC Canada)