Passage: 1 Kings 18-19; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Focus: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also, our comfort is abundant through Christ.”—2 Corinthians 1:3-5

How many of you are old enough to remember singing these words around a campfire as a teenager: 

“It only takes a spark, to get a fire going;

And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing. 

That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it,

You spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on.”

God’s comfort is an amazing thing. When we experience trials and travails, He comes to us with His peace and provision; like he did with Elijah. 

On the heels of a great demonstration of God’s sovereignty and power on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), Elijah’s life had been threatened by Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2). Discouraged and now on the run, the prophet poured his heart out to God: “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10).

God invited Elijah to stand on the mountain where he experienced God’s presence and heard His still, small voice. The “Father of mercies” assured Elijah that he was not alone, gave him a road map to victory, and encouraged him with a companion and successor, Elisha. Renewed by the “God of all comfort,” Elijah came down from the mountain and continued on his life journey.

God’s comfort serves a dual purpose in our life. It calms our heart and strengthens our spirit. What joy! But it does not stop there. We then become a conduit, through which that same comfort passes to someone else who is in the midst of their own trials and travails. The most amazing part of this is that no matter how many different people it passes through, God’s comfort is never diminished. There is always one more spark to light one more fire and warm one more troubled heart. 

Have you experienced God’s comfort recently? Pass it on.