DIVINE COMFORT
We thank the Lord who has given us victory and brought us to the ninth month of the year 2023. September, which is the ninth month of the year signifies fruitfulness. A woman carries her pregnancy for months and in the ninth month, she brings forth her baby with joy. May the Lord grant you the joy of fruitfulness in all aspects of your endeavors in Jesus’ name.
The Lord is my Shepherd has been our focus in the year 2023 and the lead passage is Psalm 23. So far, we have discussed verses 1 to 3 and part of verse 4: 1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me.
We shall discuss the later part of verse 4 which says, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me,” with the theme, “Divine Comfort. “
According to the Bible study dictionary, comfort means encouragement, whether by words or the presence of another to help in time of need. Divine Comfort is the comfort from God. God’s comfort is the encouragement we get from God, which is exceptional, endless, and available at all times. Our comfort from God comes from what we know and believe from the Bible about God’s promises.
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” David based this description on the practices of shepherds in his days and his experience as a shepherd boy. In his days, shepherds commonly carried a rod and staff as essential tools for their work. The shepherd defends his sheep with his rod and staff. The rod was a weapon of power, authority, and defense. Rod is a tool to protect the sheep from predators-God is our shield and protector. God is our defender. It can also be used to correct us, as a disciplinary tool, a rod of correction. God disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6).
The staff was the tool of concern and comfort. The shepherd would lean upon it for support and strength. He used it to draw the sheep together in intimate fellowship. The lambs were lifted to their mothers with the staff. He would use it to guide the sheep by tapping them if they were straying and it: would comfort them by getting them out of thorns and dangerous situations.
The Word of God is the rod of God for us. It has power, and authority, and is used for our defense. It comforts and chastens us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6: 17b). The Word of God searches us too, like the rod of the shepherd. It helps us to examine ourselves. The Holy Spirit is like the staff used by the shepherd. He supports and strengthens us, drawing us together as the staff draws the sheep together. He guides, comforts us, and gets us untangled. Thank God for the rod and staff and for God’s protection. Jesus is our protector who died and rose again from death for us.
PRAYERS:
1. 1. Oh God, I receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I confess all my sins, forgive me, and comfort me on every side in Jesus’ name.
2. 2. Father, I thank you for the Holy Spirit my Comforter in Jesus’ name.
3. Lord God, when anxiety rises up in me, let Your comfort give me renewed hope in Jesus’ name.
4. Father help me to trust in You and not trust in my own understanding in Jesus’ name.
5. I wait on You, Lord, Father, renew my strength, that I may mount up with wings like an eagle’s; that I may run and not be weary, and walk and not faint in Jesus’ name. Isaiah 40:31
6. Lord, I pray I will always remember that the plans You have for me are plans for good, not evil, plans to prosper me, not to harm me in Jesus’ name. Jeremiah 29:11
7. Oh God of all comfort, I seek your face as the child seeks the face of the parents, Have mercy on me today and comfort me in all areas of my life in Jesus’ name.
8. Oh Lord! let me be fruitful in all aspects of my life in Jesus’ name.
9. Oh Lord, I call on you in my distress today. Hear me and have mercy on me, in Jesus’ name.
10. Oh Lord, let my heart be filled with joy as you answer my prayers according to your mercy, in Jesus’ name.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), in Jesus’ name.
Welcome to September 2023, the month of Divine Comfort.
Yours in Him,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup
