Comfort

A prayer of David.
Incline Your ear, O YHWH, and answer me,
For I am afflicted and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am devoted to You.
You are my God—
Deliver Your servant who trusts in You....
Bring joy to the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O my Lord, I lift up my soul....
You, YHWH, have given me comfort and help.
~ Psalms 86:1-2,4,17 (author)

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
~ John 6:63 (NKJV)

Blessed be the ... God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

David faced numerous threats to his life. Yet many times David asked God for deliverance of his soul. Here he cries out in affliction of soul, affirms his devotion to God, and asks to be delivered to a place of joy. David calls upon YHWH as his God, whom he trusts for comfort and help.

We may call upon others for help, according to the role they have in our lives. "You are my husband / wife / pastor / doctor—please ..." Then there are deep places in our soul only God can reach, times when we can only say, "You are my God—set me free and bring me joy!"

There are hurting people in our lives for whom our words profit nothing. But when we ask God to speak through us, we may be able to comfort with the words of the Spirit, the words of life.

Oh God, You are my God, and I shall ever praise You. Thank You for inclining Your ear toward us and hearing our desperate cries. Thank You for the comfort and joy and deliverance from affliction You grant. Thank You for the privilege of being used by You to bring others comfort.

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