Jesus Calling was written to help people connect not only with Jesus, the living Word, but also with the Bible-the only infallible, inerrant Word of God. “The devotions . . . are meant to be read slowly, preferably in a quiet place with your Bible open," writes author Sarah Young. Today we introduce you to Jesus Calling: 50 Devotions for Comfort, a collection of devotions with relevant Scripture verses, focused on the peace only Jesus provides.
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O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord…. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. — Psalm 139:1-4, Psalm 139:23-24
I, the Creator of the universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need? When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level. I offer abundant Life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.
It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events. Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence. Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord!
Romans 8:31-32; Micah 7:7; 1 Corinthians 12:3
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May Your unfailing love be my comfort. — Psalm 119:76 NIV
I am leading you, step by step, through your life. Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day. Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy — even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you.
Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me. I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that. Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go.
Deuteronomy 29:29; Luke 12:25–26; Psalm 32:8
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These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 NKJV
Bring Me all your feelings, even the ones you wish you didn’t have. Fear and anxiety still plague you. Feelings per se are not sinful, but they can be temptations to sin. Blazing missiles of fear fly at you day and night; these attacks from the evil one come at you relentlessly. Use your shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel. If you persist, your feelings will eventually fall in line with your faith.
Do not hide from your fear or pretend it isn’t there. Anxiety that you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to fear of fear: a monstrous mutation. Bring your anxieties out into the Light of My Presence, where we can deal with them together. Concentrate on trusting Me, and fearfulness will gradually lose its foothold within you.
Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 1:5–7; Isaiah 12:2
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I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. — Philippians 4:12
Stay calmly conscious of Me today, no matter what. Remember that I go before you as well as with you into the day. Nothing takes Me by surprise. I will not allow circumstances to overwhelm you so long as you look to Me. I will help you cope with whatever the moment presents. Collaborating with Me brings blessings that far outweigh all your troubles. Awareness of My Presence contains Joy that can endure all eventualities.
Psalm 23:1–4 NKJV; 2 Corinthians 4:16–17; Psalm 28:7
Excerpted with permission from Jesus Calling for Comfort by Sarah Young, copyright Sarah Young
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Your Turn
There’s one place where you can find comfort that will never pass away. There is a place that exists where you are completely safe. With your Father. He is the God of all comfort who is waiting for you to fall into His loving arms. Lay down the fear and anxiety at His feet. He’s the only one strong enough to carry it all. Where could you use the comfort of God today? Come share your thoughts on our blog! |
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