—- the God of all comfort.– 2 Corinthians 1:3

Of all the names and titles assigned to God this has to be one of the most lovely and cheering. The very thought of it cheers our heart because sooner or later we all need comfort. We live in a troublesome world where we face many trials, tribulations and temptations. But we can be made cheerful and courageous by being confident that God comforts His children. He is not just ever aware of our needs, He is completely capable and forever faithful in meeting them. How can we not be cheered by a fact so glorious as that?

Take careful note of the little word,”all”. It is big in meaning. It reminds us that there are no limitations nor exceptions. God is the sole and sufficient source of our comfort. God is always up to the task, no matter what the circumstances might be. Of that truth we must be convinced. We are never at liberty to say God has lied, failed or deceived us. The comfort He promises He will provide. But, that isn’t always automatic. We must appropriate what God makes available if we are to experience what He desires and we need.

The chief way we do this is through His Word. It informs our mind, increases our faith,and inspires our heart.It is designed to give us the hope of help or the help of hope– however you want to look at it. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”–Romans 15:4. Out of many years of experience and observation I can tell you with certainty that God comforts His children.

But, also notice that this power enables them to “walk up and down in his name—“. God doesn’t empower us so we can pursue our own selfish desires. We are strengthened by Him that we might live for Him. This precious promise is for those whose purpose is proper and motives are pure. If God has been so gracious as to raise you from your sick bed do not forget that He intends that you “walk up and down in his name.” Live for Him and you will always have something worth living for! Make that your purpose and God will provide the power.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.–Proverbs 3:6

Over many years of serving the Lord, I have written Proverbs 3:5-6 in longhand more than any verses in the Bible. These two short verses give us a ton of information as to what is needed to live successfully. The short phrase,”acknowledge him” is of utmost importance. An old preacher of long ago by the name of John Henry Jowett wrote:

“Acknowledge Him.” But not with a passing nod of recognition. I must not merely glance at Him now and again, admitting His existence on the field. To acknowledge Him is to acknowledge Him as King, with the right to control, and as predominant partner in all the affairs of my life, even the right to give the determining voice in all my decisions. No, it is not the recognition paid to an acquaintance, it is the homage paid to a King.

And if I thus acknowledge Him, He will direct my paths. Life shall always be moving on to its purposed end and glory. The path chosen will not always be the most alluring one, but it will be the right one, and therefore the safe one, and there will be wonderful discoveries on the uninviting track.

How will He let me know which path to take? I cannot say. We can never anticipate God’s ways of dealing with us. But if my life is bent to the loving acknowledgment of His will, He will assuredly find a way to make His will known. The light will always reach the willing mind.”

A fool uttereth all his mind—-Proverbs 29:11

There are a lot of short-fused, thin-skinned, dog-tired, sour-spirited, worked-up people today who are fit to be tied, hot under the collar, bent out of shape, foaming at the mouth, and mad as a hornet. Every day we encounter rancorous people on the freeways, in the stores, on the job… and in the mirror.

Sometimes anger is justified–when we’re angry in the right way, at the right time, to the right degree, and for the right reasons. Jesus Himself displayed righteous anger. But most of us just “get mad.”

The Book of Proverbs has a lot to say about anger. For example, Proverbs 16:32:  “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Read through the Proverbs, especially chapters 15, 16, 21, 22, and 29. Find a handful of verses to commit to memory. They’ll be like smooth stones for your slingshot, and with them you can defeat Giant Anger.

If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
Ancient Chinese Proverb  —-From Turning Point