W@W WRAP – Week 316

Praise be to the God of Comfort and Promises!

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Let us be determined this week to:

Rejoice in our Lord. Even though we may find ourselves in the midst of sorrow and have unanswered questions, may we look to our Heavenly Father. He not only has answers to our questions, but walks through our challenges with us. May we praise Him for His great love and compassion towards us, knowing that even in the most difficult times, He never wastes our suffering. As we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV), “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” May we experience God’s peace and joy during our afflictions, realising that He will use our trials for our growth according to His purpose, for His glory, and for the healing of others. God can use our stories, and our hurt, to help others. We are able to comfort them when they are in need and to have compassion, as we share in their pain. May we praise our Lord continually – through the good and bad days! He is ultimately in control. He is always with us. He is faithful. He loves us unconditionally and delights in us. He has a plan and purpose for us, and He wants us to grow and prosper in life!

Hold on to the promises of God. Whenever there is any doubt in our minds, may we remember the following 10 Promises of God¹… a few of the many He has given us in His Word.

1. GOD PROMISES TO STRENGTHEN US

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being.

Ephesians 3:14-16 (ESV)

2. GOD PROMISES TO GIVE US REST

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

3. GOD PROMISES TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OUR NEEDS

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

4. GOD PROMISES TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

5. GOD PROMISES TO WORK EVERYTHING OUT FOR OUR GOOD

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Romans 8:28 (AMP)

6. GOD PROMISES TO BE WITH US

…I will not fail you or abandon you… This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:5&9 (NLT)

7. GOD PROMISES TO PROTECT US

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.

Psalm 91:2 (NLT)

8. GOD PROMISES US FREEDOM FROM SIN

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36 (ESV)

9. GOD PROMISES THAT NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM HIM

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

10. GOD PROMISES US AN EVERLASTING LIFE

For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Saviour] shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (AMP)

Pray:

Father, You formed us in our mother’s womb and our frame was not hidden from You. All of our days are numbered ahead of time, and You know how long we will be here. Help us to know You and Your character, so that we can hold on to Your faithfulness and love during even the toughest trials! You don’t waste anything – and I praise You Lord! Thank You for being the ‘God of all comforts!’

Dear God, the responsibilities of this world often consume us and make it difficult to see You. Sometimes it feels like our lives are out of focus, as if we have been asleep. Please awaken our Spirit.  We are running on empty Lord.  We need You to fill us with excitement once again. Wake us and return us to the land of the living. Lord, we need You now. Help us figure out where You want us to go and what You want us to do – according to Your will. We know that if we allow You to do this, we can find peace. Lord, empty us of ourselves so that we can be filled with You once again.

Our Heavenly Father, today I come before You in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Help us to see things from Your perspective. Help us to understand how You are working. Lord, we know Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts higher than our thoughts. Help us to hold on to that promise. Lord we love You. We ask You to embrace each of us and help us understand what’s happening in our lives. When we don’t need to understand, help us accept that it’s not the time, it’s not the place, and it’s not for now. Would you give peace – fill us with such a peace that it doesn’t matter. Then we will say, ‘yet we will rejoice in the Lord.’  We love You Lord. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus Christ.

Father, I just marvel at Your goodness. I thank You Lord for how You reveal Your great love. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you, will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” Lord, reveal Your love to each person, because Your love will not only change us, it will change our families, our communities and our nations! When people see who You are in us, they will desire Your love. We praise You and thank You in Jesus’ name.

Father God, I just want to thank You that I can really testify that my life is evidence of Your promises fulfilled. Even though I have many questions unanswered, and many things unresolved, I can reflect back and see Your goodness. I can see Your love. I can see how much You treasure my life and my family’s lives and my friends’ lives, and just know that You will work out everything for the good. You are here rooting for us, walking with us, and guiding us! We thank You and we praise Your Holy name. Amen.