Comfort in Scripture

For your kingdom never ends. You rule generation after generation.

The Lord lifts the fallen and those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all mankind look up to you for help; you give them their food as they need it. You constantly satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is fair in everything he does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him, but destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord and call on all men everywhere to bless his holy name forever and forever.

Psalm 145: 13-21 (TLB)

When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up - the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 (TLB)

Dale Middleton lives in Texas. Years ago, he wore a shirt with the inscription "I depend on Jesus." But it was not until he was diagnosed with cancer that Dale began to understand how important depending on Jesus is. Shortly after being diagnosed, Dale started a series of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, followed by surgery. After the cancer was removed, his condition went from life-threatening to life-style-changing. The surgery and treatments caused side effects which Dale has to live with every day.

Dale has come to realize just how important memorizing scripture can be. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, for example, Paul refers to a thorn in his flesh, but he adds that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. We will have troubled times, but Matthew 28:20 assures us that Jesus will be with us to the end of the age. The Bible contains thousands of God's promises and God is faithful to them all (see Psalm 145:13). What a comforting thought! We serve a mighty God. Now Dale lives each day confident that nothing can separate him from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ (see Romans 8:38).

Prayer: Thank you, loving God, for staying with us when life gets tough and for your promise of an everlasting life, in Jesus' name. Amen.