Saturday, June 20, 2026

Characteristics of God: He is a comforter.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Comfort is something everyone longs for, especially in moments when life feels heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming. Scripture tells us that God is the source of all comfort - not just a source, but the source. That means the comfort he gives is unlike anything the world can offer. It reaches deeper, lasts longer, and meets us exactly where we are. It steadies us when nothing else can.

I can personally testify to this truth. The first time I experienced God’s comfort in a way that changed me forever was the night my father died. The grief hit me like a wave I couldn’t stand under. I cried out to God in complete agony, unsure how to breathe through the pain. In that moment, I opened my Bible without thinking, and it fell open to John 14. 

John 14:1-2a
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.” 

As I continued in John 14, reading Jesus’ promise that he was preparing a place for us, peace washed over me in a way I still struggle to describe. It wasn’t denial or distraction. It was the comfort only he can give us, and it reached into the deepest part of my heart.

From that night on, the passing of loved ones became something sacred to me. A holy transition. A moment where heaven feels close enough to touch. I began to see it as a privilege to witness, and sometimes, even help facilitate. 

Jesus’ promise that “my Father’s house has many rooms” became more than a verse - it became an anchor. A reminder that death is not an ending but a doorway. A reminder that God keeps his promises.

If you find yourself in a hard place where words are falling short, and your heart aches for this comfort, know that you are not left alone. He draws near to the brokenhearted, offering not just the hope of eternal life, but his very presence and comfort to sustain us in the here and now. 

Questions:
Where do you look for comfort when you’re in need? 

Next Steps: 
Read, and meditate on John 14:1-21.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for loving us enough to address the discomfort we feel in this world. You are the source of all comfort and the one who promises we will be given and can, therefore, give comfort. I find comfort in your Word, and I am glad to share that comfort with others when you provide the opportunity. I praise and worship you now and forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Jeremiah 9:23-24a
This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord….”

Written by Julie Estep, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily.