Daughter in Waiting Ministry

In the hustle and bustle of this world, we have our people, places, and things we go to. We go to a certain person to get a certain message. We go to a certain place to get a certain experience. We go to a certain thing to get a certain feeling. Whether temporarily or permanently, there comes a point when a limit is reached. We adjust how frequently we go to people, places, or things based on the good or bad seasons of life we’re in. Even the people with our best interests at heart, who love us the most, have their limits as do we. When reaching out to a person, we can do so daily or frequently but there comes a point when they might be sleeping or occupied. Or there’s a barrier to what we can discuss based on the kind of relationship we have with them. When going to a place, their hours of operation limit when we can access it; other factors can as well. As for utilizing a thing, this too has its limits.

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Psalm 121:3-4

There’s no hour of closing or time that’s inconvenient for God and you to communicate. No topic that we can’t discuss. No teaching that can’t be taught for or taught against or wrestled through together. No emotion that’s off-limits or too much to handle. He’s been there through the highs and lows of life. He’s been there when the dialogue has been the most joyful and when it hasn’t been the prettiest or kindest. He’s been there even when I haven’t fully been there myself. In His comfort, He hasn’t pushed me away. He does it so seamlessly that it’s sometimes easy to forget that God doesn’t have limits.

And because He doesn’t sleep, there’s not a second that goes by that He doesn’t watch us. The bible tells us that He sees us (Psalm 11) and understands us.

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.”

Psalm 139:1-4

When we’re comfortable with someone, it means we’re at ease with them. This can happen because of something they do, or say, or how they make us feel. It can also happen because we have shared experiences with them and we’ve known them for a period of time. We don’t feel we have to put on a show with them or be on guard. We can simply be. I realize I can be comfortable with God because He knows me more than anyone else does and ever will. He’s allowed me to be and feel free. As I’ve discovered Him, I’ve discovered more of myself and who He’s created me to be.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Psalm 139:13-14

Because I feel comfortable with God, I can allow myself to be comforted by Him. He’s taught me that there should never be a time I feel I can’t come to Him for comfort.

• It’s comforting to know that every word of God proves true (Proverbs 30:5)
• It’s comforting that He leads us to still waters (Psalm 23)
• It’s comforting to know that there’s a time for everything and seasons change (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
• It’s comforting that He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19)
• It’s comforting that God is near to all who call on Him (Psalm 145:18)
• It’s comforting that He’s mindful of us (Psalm 8)
• It’s comforting to know that He’s our refuge (Psalm 91)
• It’s comforting that He fights for us (Exodus 14:14)
• It’s comforting that He doesn’t condemn us (Romans 8:1)
• It’s comforting that God values community and does not want us to be alone (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• It’s comforting that He works all things out for our good (Romans 8:28)
• It’s comforting that He’s near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18)
• It’s comforting that God goes before us. He’s with us and will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8)
• It’s comforting that He invites us all to come to Him (Isaiah 55:1)
• It’s comforting that He’s with us everywhere we go (Joshua 1:9)
• It’s comforting that God is our helper and our fortress (Psalm 46)
• It’s comforting to know that He loves us beyond measure (Romans 8:38-39)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In seasons of life when things don’t make sense, moments where we may feel misunderstood, or at times when we feel lonely, it’s comforting to know that the one who doesn’t sleep nor slumber knows us and has fearfully made us. God’s ability to comfort, to strengthen in that comfort, to purpose in that comfort, and to give hope through that comfort is a source of His deity I’ve come to love the most. 

Whatever burdens we carry – emotional, physical, spiritual, relational, financial – the God of comfort is there for us. He knows us and in Matthew 11:28-30, He’s offered to take them from us. If you’re feeling in need of comfort today, join me in praying this prayer over us:

Dear Heavenly Father,

God of comfort. I pray for everyone reading this post and myself included. I pray that you search us and identify the parts of us that need comforting. Parts that we’ve expressed to others and parts that we’ve suppressed. Lord, I pray you draw near to us as we draw near to you so that we can continue to gain familiarity with you. I pray that we can be increasingly comfortable with you and in that comfortability, we allow ourselves to be comforted by you and those you place around us. I pray that you keep us around individuals, loved ones, groups, and communities that embody your comforting nature. A nature that invites and protects and brings freedom and light. I pray that you release each one of us from any burden that is keeping us in distress. Burdens in our lives that weigh us down knowingly and unknowingly. I pray that we be comforted as you release these burdens from our lives and that your comfort also strengthens us to be and to do and to step into all that you’ve created us to be. We know we are fearfully and wonderfully made because you tell us so. Lord, I pray that we experience the fullness of your comfort. 

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen