(by pastor Jean)

“For I am the Lord your God who holds your right hand, who says to you, “do not fear I will help you “(Isa 41:13; CSB). See also Isaiah 41:10. There are times in life when we need God’s help, comfort and strength. God knows what we are going through and promises to help us. In the beloved Psalm 23, verse 4 we are also assured of God’s comfort, “Your rod and your staff they comfort me” (CSB). Other verses that speak of God’s comfort are Psalm 119:76, Matthew 5:4, Psalm 34:18 and Romans 8:26-28, to name just a few. Also, in Ps 23:4 God promises to be with us as we go through difficult things, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (NKJV). Remember that one of the names of God is Emanuel which means God is with us (Matt 1:22-23). See also Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20. We may not always feel God’s presence, but we must believe and act on it by faith. Not only did God promise to be with us but that he would never leave us or abandon us (Heb 13:5). It is often difficult to pray when we are facing trials but Romans 8:26 promises us that the Spirit, “intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words” (AMP). Praise God that He is always there for us with His love and comfort no matter what we are going through.