Comfort for the Broken. Strength for the Weary.

This morning I have crossed paths with a number of people battling deep discouragement. From marriage problems, sin problems, career problems and divorce problems. It’s only 10am and already I have seen and heard many tears shed.  My heart hurts with you. The devil is using these circumstances to break you, but God wants to use them to display is glory through you. Let him be your source of strength today! Let him be your victory.

I want to offer these words to those of you who are feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and defeated.  From the prophet Isaiah who wrote the promises of the Lord God:

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand… For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.

When you go through deep waters, 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. For I am the Lord, your God…

For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other. I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found…

The people will declare, “The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.”